UNIVERSITY  OF  N  C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 

1 

00009094400 

THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

• 

AT  CHAPEL  HILL 
PRESENTED  BY 

Mary  Arthur  Stouidemire 

THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


ENDOWED  BY  THE 

DIALECTIC  AND  PHILANTHROPIC 

SOCIETIES 


SPANISH  IDIOMS 


WITH   THEIR 


.BH 


English   Equivalents 


SMBRACING    NEARLY 


TEN    THOUSAND    PHRASES 


COLLECTED   BY 


SARAH   GARY   BECKER 


FEDERICO   MORA 


'•..1  -^■^'■.iVl'^lW-: 


BOSTON 
PUBLISHED   BY   GINN  &:  COMPANY 
1899 


CD 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  i885,  by 

Sarah  Carv  Becker  and  Federico  Mora, 
in  the  Oiiice  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


J.  S,  Gushing  &  Co  ,   Printers,   Boston. 


PREFACE. 


English  is  the  native  tongue  of  one  of  the  compilers  of  this  collection 
of  idioms,  Spanish  that  of  the  other,  and  each  of  them  is  familiar  with  both 
lancruages.  Only  by  such  co-operation  could  results  of  any  considerable 
value  have  been  attained.  An  idiom  is  a  phrase  stamped  by  the  usage  of 
a  language  with  a  signification  other  than  its  grammatical  or  logical  one. 
Our  effort  has  been  to  brnig  together  as  many  of  the  idioms  to  be  met 
with  in  literary  and  conversational  Spanish  as  possible,  but  not  to  include 
the  technical  phraseology  of  the  professions  and  trades,  or  mere  vulgarisms. 
These  lines  are  not  always  easy  to  draw.  Nautical  terms,  for  example, 
often  appear  in  very  light  literature,  most  of  which  would  certainly  also 
be  set  down  in  a  technical  dictionary.  Many  such  may  be  found  in  the 
following  pages.  The  more  abstruse  terminology  of  the  law,  on  the  other 
hand,  seldom  makes  its  way  into  belles-lettres  or  into  conversation,  and  is 
excluded.  The  distinction  between  admissible  slang,  or  homely  phrase- 
ology, and  downright  vulgarisms  is  also  far  from  sharp,  and  depends  more 
or  less  upon  circumstances,  ^^■e  have  omitted  some  phrases  which, 
though  they  appear  in  literature,  have  no  business  there.  Many  of  the 
idiomatic  phrases  are  proverbs,  but  proverbs  not  containing  idioms  are 
excluded. 

The  method  employed  in  compilation  was  as  follows  :  "  El  Novísimo 
Diccionario  de  la  Lengua  Castellana,  por  una  Sociedad  de  Literatos " 
(which  is  founded  upon  the  Academy's  Dictionary,  with  additions),  and 
"  El  Nuevo  Diccionario  Inglés-Español,  y  Español-Liglés,  por  J.  M. 
Lopez,  E.  R.  Bensley,  y  otros,"  were  carefully  read  through  from  beginning 
to  end,  and  the  numerous  idioms  cited  in  illustration  of  the  use  of  words 
were  extracted.  Much  material  has  also  been  obtained  from  grammars, 
including  those  of  Professors  Alberto  de  Tornos,  W.  L  Knapp,  H.  M. 
Monsanto,   and    Louis    A.   Languellier,   as   well    as    from    Bohn's    Spanish 


4  PRE  FA  CE. 

Proverbs.  Don  Quixote,  in  several  editions  and  translations  (including  the 
late  translation  with  critical  list  of  proverbs  by  John  Ormsby,  London, 
1885),  and  Gil  Bias  have  been  carefully  studied;  and  notes  of  idioms 
were  made  in  reading  many  other  works ;  finally,  memoranda  were  kept  of 
such  as  occurred  in  con\-ersation  during  a  period  of  two  years.  These 
means  cannot  be  exhaustive,  but  we  believe  that  few  common,  important, 
or  valuable  phrases  have  escaped  us.  In  rendering  the  idioms  into 
English,  the  first  object  was  to  make  their  meaning  intelligible  ;  the 
second,  to  give  equivalent  English  idioms  where  such  could  be  found  :  in 
many  cases,  however,  the  pithiness  of  the  original  is  best  retained  by 
a  simple  translation.  Renderings  found  in  previous  publications  were 
adopted  only  when  it  seemed  impossible  to  improve  upon  them,  and  it  has 
been  found  necessary  to  correct  many  downright  errors  of  translation.  Our 
thanks  are  due  to  Commander  Henry  Glass,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  for 
examining  and  improving  the  translations  of  the  nautical  phrases. 

The  arrangement  of  the  work  is  intended  to  facilitate  reference  as  far  as 
this  can  be  effected  with  material  of  so  heterogeneous  a  character.  Every 
idiom  containing  a  verb  is  placed  under  that  verb,  while  the  verbs  them- 
sehes  are  arranged  alphabetically.  Where  the  idioms  containing  a  par- 
ticular verb  are  numerous,  they  have  been  classified  into  natural  groups, 
the  members  of  which  are  mutually  illustrative,  or  deal  with  similar  ideas. 
The  idioms  containing  verbs  form  the  first  and  larger  portion  of  the 
collection.  Those  which  lack  a  verb  are  comprised  in  a  second  division, 
in  which  the  most  emphatic  or  most  important  word  in  each  phrase  is 
taken  as  the  basis  of  their  alphabetical  arrangement.  Indices  to  each 
series  are  added  as  a  further  aid  in  the  search  for  a  given  phrase. 

Finally,  we  believe  ourselves  justified  in  the  hope  that  this  collection  of 
idioms  will  prove  a  very  important  aid  in  mastering  one  of  the  greatest 
difficulties  which  the  Spanish  language  presents. 

S.  C.  B. 
F.  M. 


SPANISH    IDIOMS. 


IDIOMS   CONTAINING   VERBS. 


Quien  mucho  abarca  poco  aprieta. 
Ni  te  abatas  por  pobreza,  ni  te  en- 
salces por  riqueza. 
Ablandar  las  piedras. 

Abocar  la  artillería. 

Abocar  un  estrecho. 

El  sol  pica,  ó  abrasa. 

Abrasarse  los  pájaros. 

Abrasarse  vivo. 

Muchas  hijas  en  casa,  todo  se  abrasa. 

Abrazar  el  estómago  alguna  cosa. 

Abrigúese  V.  con  ello. 

Al  buen  dia  ábrele  la  puerta,  y  para 

el  malo  te  apareja. 
Abrir,  ó  abrirse  una  entrada  de  agua. 
La  madera  se  abre. 
Abrir  brecha  en  un  muro. 
Abrir  las  zanjas. 
Abrir  trincheras. 
Abrir  el  ojo. 

En  un  abrir  y  cerrar  de  ojos. 
Abrir  el  día. 
Abrir  la  corona. 
Abrir  las  velaciones. 


Abrir  paso. 

Abrirse  las  cataratas  del  cielo. 

Abre  el  tiempo. 

Abrir  los  ojos  á  uno. 

Abrirse  con  alguno. 

Abrir  pueita  á  la  puerta. 


(irasp  all,  lose  all. 

Do  not  be  humbled  by  po\'erty,  or 

exalted  by  wealth. 
To  melt  a  heart  of  stone  ;  to  inspire 

great  pity. 
To  bring  the  guns  to  bear  (mil.). 
To  enter  the  mouth  of  a  channel. 
The  sun  scorches. 
To  be  burning  hot. 
To  be  inflamed  with  passion. 
Many  daughters  are  expensive. 
To  keep  a  thing  on  the  stomach. 
Defend  yourself  with  it. 
Make  hay  while  the  sun  shines,  but 

prepare  for  a  rainy  day. 
To  spring  a  leak. 
The  wood  cracks. 
To  make  a  breach  in  a  fortress. 
To  lay  a  foundation  ;  to  begin. 
To  open  trenches  ;  to  begin  a  siege. 
To  be  on  the  alert. 
In  the  twinkling  of  an  eye. 
To  dawn. 

To  shave  the  tonsure. 
To    permit    the    issue    of    marriage 

licenses  (granted   only  at  certain 

seasons). 
To  clear  the  way. 
To  rain  heavily  ;  to  pour. 
The  weather  clears  up. 
To  undeceive  ;  to  open  one's  eyes. 
To  disclose  one's  secrets  to  any  one. 
To  afford  an  opportunity. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Abre  el  ojo  que  asan  carne. 

Abrir  el  corazón  á  alguno. 

Abrir  la  mano. 

Abrir  la  mano  al  caballo. 

Abrir  la  cabeza. 

Abrir  las  carnes. 

Abrir  la  procesión. 

Abrir  á  chasco. 

Abrir  tanto  ojo. 

Abrir  registro. 

Absolver  las  preguntas. 

Absolver  de  la  instancia. 

Abundar  en  su  sentido. 

Aburriré  mil  pesos  en  esta  flota. 

Acabar  con  el  negocio. 

¡  Acaba  ya  ! 

Es  cosa  de  nunca  acabarse. 

Á  ese  paso  no  acabarás  nunca. 

Acaba  de  llegar. 

Está  acabado  de  salir  .  .  . 

El  tapete  le  acabó  con  cuanto  poseía. 

El  pleito  le  acabó  de  tronar  com- 
pletamente. 

La  vela  se  está  acabando. 

Al  acabar  la  vida. 

Se  acabó  el  siglo  para  él. 

Para  el  mal  que  hoy  acaba,  no  es 
remedio  el  de  mañana. 

Los  valientes  y  el  buen  vino  duran 
poco,  ó  se  acaban  pronto. 

Acabados  son  cuentos. 

Acabar  ó  adobar  los  guantes. 
Lo  que  no  acaece  (ó  sucede,  ó  se 
hace)  en  un  año,  acaece  en  un  rato. 
Aceptar  una  letra. 
Aceptar  personas. 


Improve  the  opportunity. 

To  encourage  a  person. 

To  accept  bribes. 

To  give  rein  to  a  horse. 

To  break  one's  head. 

To  cut  the  flesh  with  a  whip. 

To  lead  a  procession. 

To  jest ;  to  mock. 

To  stare  with  joy. 

To  begin  to  take  in  cargo  (nau.  y- 

To  answer  questions. 

To  pardon  a  criminal. 

To  adhere  to  one's  opinion. 

I  will  hazard  a  thousand  dollars  in 
this  convoy. 

To  make  an  end  of  an  affair. 

Determine  !  resolve  ! 

It  is  an  endless  affair. 

At  this  rate  you  will  never  finish. 

He  has  just  arrived. 

It  is  fresh  from  .  .  . 

He  lost  all  he  possessed  at  the  gam- 
ing-table. 

The  lawsuit  ruined  him  completely. 

The  candle  is  flickering. 

At  the  moment  of  death. 

He  has  departed  this  life. 

To-morrow's  remedy  avails  little  for 
to-day's  misfortune  ;  apply  your 
remedy  before  it  is  too  late. 

Rash  courage  and  good  wine  are 
soon  ended  ;  those  who  love  peril 
will  try  it  once  too  often. 

There  is  an  end  to  it ;  i.e.,  the  con- 
versation or  dispute. 

To  regale  and  remunerate  a  person. 

That  which  a  year  does  not  bring 
us,  a  moment  may. 

To  accept  a  bill  of  exchange. 

To  favor  particular  persons. 


SPAX/SH  IDIOMS. 


Achicar  la  bomba. 

Achicad,    compadre,   y   llevaréis   la 

galga. 
Aclarádselo     vos,     compadre,     (¡ue 

tenéis  la  boca  á  mano. 
Aclarar  la  voz. 
Acodillarse  con  la  carga. 

Acogerse  á  las  aras. 

Acogí  al  ratón  en  mi  agujero,  y  vol- 

vióseme  heredero. 
Acometer  con  dinero. 
De  ruin  á  ruin  quien  acomete,  vence. 

Tiempos  hay  de  acometer,  y  tiempos 

de  retirar. 
Acomodarse  al  tiempo. 

Acordarse  del  tiempo  del    rey  que 

rabió,  ser  una  cosa  del  tiempo  de 

rey  que  rabió,  ó  del  rey  que  rabió 

por  gachas. 
Acordarse  ó  estar  de  acuerdo  con 

uno. 
Acordarse  remotamente. 
No  se  acuerda  el  Cura  de  cuando 

fué  Sacristán. 
Acordar  los  instrumentos  músicos  á 

las  voces. 
El  buey  que  me   acornó    en   buen 

lugar  me  echó. 

En  tierra  ajena,  la  vaca  al  buey  acor- 
nea. 

Acosado  de  hambre. 

Aconsejarse  mejor. 

Acostarse  la  balanza,  ó  caer  la  bal- 
anza. 

Quien  con  niños  se  acuesta,  sucio  se 
levanta. 

Acostarse  con  las  gallinas. 


To  pump  the  -waXer  from  a  ship. 
Very  much  exaggerated. 

To  ask  foolish  questions  on  pretence 
of  not  understanding. 

To  clear  the  throat. 

Not  to  be  able  to  fulfil  one's  engage- 
ments. 

To  take  refuge. 

Do  not  trust  any  one  lest  he  may 
turn  traitor. 

To  try  to  bribe  a  person. 

When  two  cowards  fight,  he  who 
attacks  conquers. 

There  is  a  time  to  attack,  and  a  time 
to  retreat. 

To  be  content  with  the  present  state 
of  things. 

That  is  a  very  old  story,  or  thing. 


To  close,  or  agree  with  one. 

To  have  a  confused  recollection. 
Those  who   attain    prosperity  often 

forget  the  day  of  small  things. 
To  tune  instruments. 

The  ox  that  gored  me  threw  me  into 
a  better  place  ;  apparent  evil  of- 
ten leads  to  good. 

Helpless  people  are  often  insulted 
by  their  inferiors. 

Pinched  with  hunger. 

To  think  better  of  it. 

To  fall  on  either  side  (said  of  a  bal- 
ance). 

Those  who  trust  incompetent  per- 
sons will  suffer  for  it. 

To  go  to  bed  with  the  chickens,  early. 


8 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Acuéstate  sin  cena,  y  amancerás  sin 

deuda, 
i  Acotóme  á  Dios  ! 
Acotar  estorbos. 
Los  acreedores  me  acribillan. 
Acudió  al  cuero  con  el  albayalde, 

que  los  años  no  se  van  en  balde. 
Acudir  al  reclamo. 
Acuñar  dinero. 
Hermano  ayuda  y  cuñado  acuña. 

Acusar  á  muerte. 

Acusar  á  pena. 

Acusar  ó  argüir  la  conciencia  á  uno. 

¡  Adelante  con  la  cruz  ! 

No  adelantar,  ó  no  ganar  un  palmo 

de  tierra  en  algún  negocio. 
Adelantar  como  el  cangrejo. 

La  verdad  adelgaza,  pero  no  quie- 
bra. 
Adentellar  una  pared. 

Adivinar,  ó  ver  por  tela  de  cedazo. 

Adivino  de  Valderas,  cuando  corren 
las  canales  que  se  mojan  las  car- 
reras. 

Adivino  de  Marchena  que  el  sol 
puesto,  el  asno  á  la  sombra  queda. 

Administrador  que  administra,  y  en- 
fermo que  se  enjuaga,  algo  traga. 

Quien  no  adoba  ó  quita  gotera,  hace 
casa  entera. 

Bienes  mal  adquiridos  á  nadie  han 
enriquecido. 

Afanar,  afanar,  y  nunca  medrar. 

Afanarse  por  nada. 


Go  to  bed  supperless,  and  you  will 

wake  without  debt. 
I  commend  myself  to  God. 
To  avoid  obstacles. 
My  creditors  torment  me. 
She  paints,  and  tries  to  conceal  her 

age. 
To  reach  one's  goal. 
To  hoard  up  money. 
Brothers-  and   sisters-in-law  are  al- 
ways at  variance. 
To  charge  a  person  with  a  capital 

crime. 
To  file  a  complaint. 
To  feel  remorse. 
Forward  with  the  cross  !  we  resolve 

to  persevere  ! 
Not  to  advance  a  hair's  breadth  in 

an  affair. 
To  retrograde.     (To  advance  like  a 

crab.) 
The  truth  may  be  hidden  for  a  time, 

but  is  sure  to  be  divulged. 
To  leave  toothing  stones  or  bricks 

by  which  to  continue  a  wall. 
To  take  a  prejudiced  view ;  to  be 

biased. 
^Vonderful   discovery,   that  when  it 

pours  the  paths  are  wetted. 

Wonderful  discovery,  that  when  the 

sun  has  set,  the  donkey  is  left  in 

the  shade. 
Money  is  apt  to  stick  to  the  fingers 

of  trustees. 
A  remedy,  in  order  to  be  effectual, 

should  be  applied  promptly. 
Ill-gotten  gains  never  prosper. 

Much  toil  and  little  profit. 
To  fidget. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


La  mujer  del  ciego  para  ¿quién  se 

afeita  ? 
La  mujer  y  la  camuesa  (ó  cereza) 

por  su  mal  se  afeitan. 
Aficionarse  con  exceso  á  .  .  . 
Muy  aficionado  á  Baco. 
Afilar  el  ingenio. 

Afilar  las  uñas. 

Aflojar  la  cuerda ;  ó  aflojar  al  arco 

la  cuerda. 
Aflojar  el  ánimo. 

Aflojar  las  riendas. 
Aforrar  una  casa. 
Aforrar  un  cabo. 
Agarrarse  de  un  pelo. 

Agarrarse  á,  ó  de,  buenas  aldabas. 

Agarrarse  de  un  clavo  ardiendo. 


Agitarse  una  cuestión  ó  negocio. 

Agotar  la  paciencia. 

Si   la  vista  no    me   agrada,   no   me 

aconsejes  nada. 
Grano  á  grano  agrega  para  tu  año. 

Aguantar  la  mecha,  ó  el  pujo. 
La  ocasión  no  aguarda. 
Aguzar  el  ingenio,  ó  vista. 
Aguzar  las  orejas. 

Aguzar  los  dientes. 

Piedra   sin   agua,    no   aguza    en   la 

fragua. 
Ahilarse  el  vino. 


Ahogar  los  odios. 


For  whom  does  the  wife  of  the  blind 
man  dress? 

Powder  and  paint  are  worn  to  con- 
ceal defects. 

To  give  one's  mind  to  .  .  . 

Very  fond  of  the  l)Ottle. 

To  make  a  great  effort  for  a  special 
purpose. 

To  make  an  intelligent  effort ;  to 
sharpen  one's  wits. 

To  stop  working  for  needful  rest. 

To  rest  or  refresh  one's  self  by  enter- 
tainment. 
To  relax  watchfulness  or  authority. 
To  ceil  a  house. 
To  serve  a  cable  (nau.). 
To  support  an  opinion  ;    to  furnish 

an  excuse  ;  to  split  hairs. 
To  avail  one's  self  of  an  influential 

protector. 
To  seize  a  red-hot  nail ;  to  take  any 

means,     however    dangerous,     to 

accomplish  one's  object. 
To  discuss  a  question  warmly. 
To  weary  one's  patience. 
If  the  appearance  does  not  satisfy 

me,  you  cannot  persuade  me. 
A  little  every  day  amounts  to  much 

in  a  year. 
To  be  patient ;  to  resign  one's  self. 
Time  and  tide  wait  for  no  man. 
To  sharpen  the  wit,  or  sight. 
To    prick    up    the    ears  ;    to    listen 

intently. 
To  whet  the  appetite. 
Nothing  is  to  be  gained  without  the 

use  of  proper  means. 
To  turn,  and  grow  ropy  (applied  to 

wine). 
To  for2;et  enmities. 


10 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Ahogarse  el  grano. 

Ahogarse  de  gente. 

Ahorcar  los  hábitos. 

¡  Que  me  ahorquen  si  lo  hago  ! 

Ahórrese  V.  palabras. 

No  ahorrarse  con  nadie  ;  ni  con  su 

padre. 
Ahorrar    para    la    vejez,    ganar    un 

maravedí,  y  beber  tres. 
¡  Ahorra  palabras  ! 
Ahuyentar  los  pájaros,  ó  las  moscas. 
La  miseria  ahuyenta  amigos. 
Ajar  la  vanidad  á  alguno. 
Ajustar  á  uno  la  golilla. 
Agitarse  con  su  conciencia. 
Alabar  sus  agujetas. 
Alabar  sus  agujas. 
Cada  ollero  alaba  su  puchero. 

¿Por  ventura  habrá  quien  se  alabe 
que  tiene  echado  un  clavo  á  la 
rodaja  de  la  fortuna  ? 

i  Alabo  el  gusto  ! 

Quien  no  se  alaba,  de  ruin  se  muere. 

Es  para  alabar  á  Dios. 

Alabaos,  coles,  que  hay  nabos  en  la 
olla. 

Alambicar  los  sesos. 
Alamparse  por  riquezas. 
Allanar  la  casa. 

Allanar  el  camino. 

Alargar  la  mecha. 

Alargar  la  cura. 

Alargar  la  bolsa. 


The    grain    is    smothered    by    the 

weeds. 
To  be  oppressed,  overheated,  by  the 

crowd. 
To  abandon  the  clerical  profession. 
Hang  me  if  I  do  it ! 
Spare  yourself  the  trouble  of  talking. 
To  be   thoroughly  inconsiderate  of 

others. 
To  spend  beyond  one's  means  is  a 

bad  preparation  for  old  age. 
Obey,  without  farther  excuse  ! 
To  scare  away  the  birds,  or  flies. 
Poverty  parts  friends. 
To  humble  a  person. 
To  oblige  one  to  do  his  duty. 
To  act  conscientiously. 
To  praise  one's  own  merchandise. 
To  praise  one's  self. 
Each  crow  thinks  its  own  young  the 

whitest. 
Who  can  boast  of  having  arrested 

fortune's  wheel? 

I  admire  your  taste  !   (ironical). 

Diffidence  does  not  prosper. 

It  is  a  glory  to  God. 

A  reproach  to  those  who  are  unrea- 
sonably desirous  of  being  preferred 
to  others. 

To  cudgel  one's  wits. 

To  thirst  for  riches. 

To  enter  the  house  forcibly,  with  a 
search  warrant. 

To  pave  the  way  to  obtaining  some- 
thing. 

To  protract  a  negotiation ;  to  raise 
a  salary. 

To  prolong  a  negotiation  for  the 
sake  of  profit. 

To  prepare  for  some  great  expendi- 
ture. 


SPAA7S//  IDIOMS. 


11 


Alargar   los    dientes,    ó    poner    los 

dientes  largos. 
Alargó  la  piel. 
Alastrar  un  navio. 
Alborotar  la  calle. 
Ni  te  alborotes,  ni  te  enfotes. 
Alcanzar  de  alguno. 
Alcanzársele  poco  á  alguno. 
Asno  con  oro  alcánzalo  todo. 

Alcanza  quien  no  cansa. 
Alcanzar  á  uno  de  razones. 

Mis  posibles  no  alcanzan  á  eso. 

Alcanzar  á  ver. 

Alcanzar  en  dias. 

El   remedio   no   alcanzó  a  curar  la 

enfermedad. 
Caballo  que  alcanza,  pasar  querría. 

No  le  alcanzarán  galgos. 

Cada  uno  alega  en  derecho  de  su 

dedo. 
Alegrar  las  luces. 
Alegrársele  á  uno  los  ojos. 
Aligerarse  la  ropa. 
Aligerar  un  caballo. 

Alindar  el  ganado. 

Alinearse  los  soldados. 

Alotar  las  anclas. 

Alquilar    un    cuarto    alhajado    con 

assistancia,  ó  sin  ella. 
Alquilé  un  simón  para  ir  al  paseo. 

Alterar  la  moneda. 
Alzar  un  entredicho. 
Alzar  figura. 

Alzar  los  ojos,  ó  las  manos. 
Alzar  el  dedo. 


Tü  show  the  teeth. 

He  gave  up  the  ghost. 

To  ballast  a  ship  (nau.). 

To  disturb  the  neighborhood. 

Neither  believe  nor  disbelieve  blindly. 

To  prevail  upon  any  one. 

To  be  of  weak  understanding. 

Even  a  fool,  if  rich,  can  get  what  he 
wants. 

He  who  does  not  tire  achieves. 

To  get  the  better  of  another  in  argu- 
ment. 

My  means  are  not  equal  to  that. 

To  descry. 

To  live  long. 

This  medicine  does  not  reach  the 
root  of  the  evil. 

A  person  whose  aspirations  are  never 
satisfied. 

A  Scotch  cousinship  ;  a  very  distant 
relationship. 

Every  one  looks  out  for  his  own 
interest. 

To  snuff  the  candles. 

To  show  gladness  in  one's  eyes. 

To  dress  very  lightly. 

To  make  a  horse  move  lightly  and 
freely. 

To  drive  cattle  to  pasture. 

To  fall  into  line  (mil.). 

To  stow  the  anchors  (nau.). 

To  let,  a  furnished  room,  with  or 
without  board. 

I  hired  a  hackney-coach  to  go  to  the 
fashionable  drive. 

To  debase  the  coinage. 

To  raise  an  injunction. 

To  assume  an  air  of  importance. 

To  raise  the  eyes  or  hands. 

To  raise  the  forefinger  in  assever- 
ation or  affirmation. 


12 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Alzar  ó  levantar  el  gallo. 
Alzar  la  cresta. 
Alzar  velas. 
Alzarse  con  algo. 
Alzar  el  rastrojo. 

Alza  y  baja  de  los  fondos  públicos. 

Alzar  las  eras. 

Alzar  el  precio. 

Alzar  ó  levantar  rey,  ó  por  rey. 

Alzar  el  destierro. 

Alzar  ó  levantar  pendones. 

Alzóme  á  mi  mano,  ni  pierdo  ni 
gano. 

Alzarse  á  mayores. 

Alzar  alguna  cosa. 

Alzarse  con  el  santo,  y  con  la  li- 
mosna. 

Alzar  la  obra. 

Alzarse  el  a2;ua. 

Alzar  cabeza. 

Alzar  los  naipes. 

Alzarse  ó  levantarse  con  el  dinero. 

Quien  bien  ama,  tarde  olvida. 

Amagar  y  no  dar. 

i  A  tal  hora  te  amanezca  ! 


Cuando  Dios  amanece,  para  todos 
aparece. 

¡  Dios  amanezca  á  V.  con  bien  ! 

Yo  amanecí  en  Madrid,  y  anochecí 
en  Toledo. 

Por  mucho  madrugar,  no  amanece 
mas  temprano. 

Arreboles  al  oriente  agua  amane- 
ciente. 

Amaestrar  un  caballo. 

Quien  feo  ama,  hermoso  le  parece. 

Quien  ama  el  peligro,  perece  en  el. 


To  show  one's  self  proud  or  arrogant. 

To  be  elated  with  pride. 

To  set  the  sails  (nau.). 

To  defraud. 

To  run  the  first  furrows  with  the 
plough. 

The  rise  and  fall  of  public  securities. 

To  finish  the  harvesting  of  grain. 

To  raise  the  price. 

To  proclaim  a  king. 

To  pardon  an  exile. 

To  proclaim  loudly  ;  to  make  public. 

He  who  is  not  hampered  by  affairs 
can  act  freely. 

To  be  petulant. 

To  lay  away  anything. 

To  abscond  with  money  entrusted 
to  one's  care. 

To  stop  work. 

To  stop  raining. 

To  recover  from  a  calamity  or  dis- 
ease. 

To  cut  the  cards. 

To  win  all  the  stakes  in  gambling. 

He  who  loves  truly  is  slow  to  forget. 

To  threaten,  but  not  strike. 

Is  this  the  dawn  of  day  for  you  ! 
(said  to  one  who  comes  late  to 
an  appointment). 

The  sun  shines  on  the  just  and  on 
the  unjust. 

God  give  you  a  happy  morrow  ! 

I  was  in  Madrid  at  dawn,  and  in  To- 
ledo at  twilight. 

It  dawns  none  the  sooner  because 
we  rise  early. 

A  red  sky  in  the  morning  indicates 
rain. 

To  break  in  a  horse. 

Love  is  blind. 

He  who  loves  danger  will  perish  by  it. 


SPAXISII  IDIOMS. 


13 


Entre  tanto  cjue  cría,  amamos  al  ama, 
en  pasando  el  provecho,  luego 
olvidada. 

Cada  día  gallina,  amarga  la  cocina. 

La  verdad  amarga. 

Amoldar  las  agujas. 
Amontonarse  el  juicio. 
Amparar  en  la  posesión. 

Amusgar  las  orejas. 

El  tiempo  anda. 

El  reloj  ó  el  molino  anda. 

Los  planetas  ó  las  máquinas  andan. 

Andar  ó  estar  por  las  nubes  el  mar. 

El  carro  no  anda. 

Andar  con  las  cruces  á  cuestas. 
Andar  estaciones. 

Ir  ó  andar  las  estaciones. 

Tornar  á  andar  las  estaciones. 

Andar  al  uso. 

Andar  en  coplas. 

Andar  en  palmas. 

Andarse    por    las    márgenes,    ó   las 

ramas. 
Anden  y  ténganse. 
Andar  de  rama  en  rama. 
Andar  en  retruécanos. 
Andar  en  coplas,  ó  de  boca  en  boca. 
Andar  triste,  ó  alegre. 
Ándese  la  gaita  por  el  lugar. 

Andar  de  una  camada. 

No  se  ande  V.  en  cumplimientos. 

No  andar  en  dengues. 

Camino  de  Santiago,  tanto  anda  el 

cojo  como  el  sano. 
Andar  como  el  cangrejo. 


We  cliníf  to  those  whom  we  need. 


Constant  repetition  wearies. 

The  truth  may  be  bitter  to  the  evil 
doer. 

To  polish  needles. 

To  lose  one's  presence  of  mind. 

To  keep  one  in  possession  of  prop- 
erty. 

To  listen  ;  to  prick  up  one's  ears. 

Time  flies. 

The  watch  or  the  mill  goes. 

Planets  or  machines  move. 

The  sea  runs  mountains  high. 

The  wheels  are  clogged  ;  the  busi- 
ness does  not  prosper. 

To  pray  to  God. 

To  pray  at  certain  shrines  in  order 
to  obtain  indulgences. 

To  mind  one's  own  business. 

To  return  to  one's  evil  habits. 

To  conform  to  the  times. 

To  be  very  well  known. 

To  be  universally  applauded. 

To  beat  about  the  bush ;  not  to 
come  to  the  point. 

To  play  fast  and  loose. 

To  dwell  upon  unimportant  details. 

To  play  upon  words. 

To  be  the  town  talk. 

To  be  sad,  or  merry. 

It  is  of  no  consequence ;  I  do  not 
care. 

Like  seeks  like. 

Do  not  stand  upon  compliments. 

Not  to  mind  trifles. 

Good  pilgrims  accommodate  their 
pace,  and  arrive  together. 

To  go  backward,  like  a  crab. 


14 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Quien  anda  entre  la  miel,  algo  se  le 

pega. 
Andar  de  zoco  en  colodro ;    ó  de 

Heródes  á  Pilátos. 
Andando  el  tiempo. 
Andar  con  dilatorias. 

Estar  á  un  andar. 

Andar  el  mundo  al  revés. 

Andar  de  barrio. 

Andar  por  hacer,  ó  decir  una  cosa. 

Andar  divertido. 

Andar  con  las  manos  en  la  cinta. 

Andar  de  Zeca  en  Meca. 

Andar   de   acá    para    allá,    ó    para 

acullá. 
Andar  á  la  flor  del  berro. 
Andar  de  bardanza. 

Andar  á  la  gandaya,  ó  trastejando. 

Andar  la  ciudad. 

Andar  con  el  hato  á  cuestas. 

Andar  á  la  balda. 

Andar  arrastrando. 

Andar  á  la  briba,  ó  á  la  sopa ;  ó  an- 
dar buscando. 

Andar  á  tres  menos  cuartillo. 

Andar,  quedar,  ó  estar  á  la  cuarta 
pregunta. 

Andar  de  pié  quebrado. 

Andar  tentando. 

Andar  á  tientas,  ó  á  ciegas. 
Andar  á  sombra  de  tejado. 
Andar  á  monte. 
Andar  aperreado. 
Andar  de  nones. 
Andarse  á  picos  pardos. 
Andar  á  grillos. 


You    cannot    touch    pitch    without 

being  defiled. 
To     escape    Scylla    and    fall    into 

Charybdis. 
In  the  course  of  time. 
To  waste  another's   time  with  false 

promises. 
To  be  on  the  same  story  (of  rooms). 
To  reverse  the  order  of  nature. 
To  wear  a  simple  dress. 
To  be  about  to  say  or  do  a  thing. 
To  be  engaged  in  love  affairs. 
Not  to  have  anything  to  do. 
To  rove  about ;  from  Dan  to  Beer- 

sheba. 
To  be  a  vagrant. 

To  stroll  and  wander  about. 
To  go  here  and  there  ;  to  be  unset- 
tled. 
To  wander,  gad,  or  roam. 
To  scour  the  city. 
To  lead  a  nomadic  life. 
To  lead  a  vagabond  life. 
To  live  in  misery. 
To  beg. 

To  be  very  short  of  anything. 
To  be  utterly  destitute  of  funds. 

To  be  in  increasingly  narrow  circum- 
stances. 

To  grope  where  we  cannot  see  ;  to 
make  efforts  or  trials. 

To  grope  in  the  dark  ;  to  fumble. 

To  hide  ;  to  skulk  ;  to  abscond. 

To  skulk ;  to  lurk  in  hiding-places. 

To  be  harassed,  or  fatigued. 

To  be  idle. 

To  follow  idle  pursuits  ;  to  loiter. 

To  waste  time  in  useless  pursuits. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


15 


Andar  á  la  tuna. 

Andar  manga  por  hombro. 

Andar  por  su  cabal. 

i  Ande  yo  caliente,  y  ríase  la  gente  ! 

Andar  ó  venir  con  un  palmo  de  len- 
gua. 

Anda  mal. 

Andar  á  tatas,  ó  á  gatas. 

Andar  sin  sombra. 

Andar  balando  por  alguna  cosa. 

Á  mayor  andar. 

Á  peor  andar. 

Quien  mal  anda,  mal  acaba. 

Quien  con  lobos  anda,  á  aullar  se 
enseña. 

Andar  ó  estar  en  la  danza. 
Andar  en  malos  pasos. 
Andarse  tocando  tabletas. 
Andar  como  ardilla. 
Andar  ó  ir  de  capa  caida. 
Andar  en  balanza. 

Andar  en  cuerpo. 

Andar  con  mosca. 

Andar  de  puntas. 

No  andar  en  contemplaciones. 

Andar  ó  estar  torcido  con  alguno. 

Andar  en  quintillas. 

Andar  á  capazos. 

Andar  en  puntas. 

Andar  al  pescuezo. 

Andar  en  dimes  y  diretes. 

Andar  en  dáres  y  tomares. 

Andar   á   mia    sobre   tuya ;     ó   á  la 

zarpa ;     ó   andar   al    morro,   ó    al 

pelo. 
Andar  á  trompis. 


To  play  truant. 

To  be  very  careless  in  domestic  af- 
fairs. 

To  live  selfishly. 

If  I  am  comfortable,  what  care  I  for 
ridicule  ! 

To  be  overheated. 

He  is  a  bad  walker. 

To  walk  timidly ;  to  creep. 

To  crave  ;  to  desire  anxiously. 

To  long  anxiously  for  something. 

At  best ;  at  most. 

At  worst. 

He  who  lives  ill,  dies  ill. 

He  who  lives  with  wolves  will  learn 
to  howl ;  evil  communications  cor- 
rupt good  manners. 

To  be  implicated  in  an  affair. 

To  be  in  a  bad  way,  as  to  conduct. 

To  be  disappointed. 

To  be  as  active  as  a  squirrel. 

To  be  crestfallen. 

To  be  in  danger  of  losing  property 
or  place. 

To  go  out  without  an  outside  gar- 
ment. 

To  fly  into  a  passion. 

To  be  on  bad  terms  ;  to  quarrel. 

To  have  recourse  to  harsh  measures. 

To  be  at  enmity  with  some  one. 

To  seek  dispute  or  quarrel. 

To  quarrel  and  fight. 

To  seek  a  quarrel,  mutually. 

To  take  another  by  the  throat. 

To  dispute  and  quarrel. 

To  contend  ;  to  dispute. 

To  come  to  blows. 


To  come  to  fisticuffs. 


16 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Andar  en  cuentos. 

Andar  á  puñaladas,  ó  á  cuchilladas. 

Quien  anda  al  revés,  anda  el  camino 

dos  veces. 
Andar  el  diablo  suelto. 

Andar  el  diablo  en  cantillana. 
Andar  á  la  que  salta. 
Andar  en  opiniones. 

Andar  á  malas. 

Andar  en  gerigonzas. 

Andar  á  coz  y  bocado. 

¡  Anda   con   mil   Santos  !    ó    ¡  anda 

noramala  ! 
¡  Anda  ó  vete  á  freir  espárragos  ! 
i  Anda  ! 

¡  Anda  á  pasear  ! 

Andar  con  un  ten  con  ten. 

Andar  de  ganancia. 

Andar  en  un  pié. 

Andar  con  pies  de  plomo. 

Andar  ó  estar  de  priesa. 

Andar  con  reserva. 

Anda  el  hombre  á  trote  por  ganar 

su  capote. 
Aquel  va  mas  sano,  que  anda  por  el 

llano. 
Entre  bobos  anda  el  juego. 

La  rueda  de  la  Fortuna  anda  mas 
lista  que  una  rueda  de  molino. 

Andando  gana  la  hazeña,  que  no 
estándose  queda. 

Andar  listo. 

i  Anda  listo  ! 

Andar  en  pretensiones. 

Mal  me  andarán  las  manos. 


To  come  to  loggerheads. 

To  fight  with  poniards  or  knives. 

He  who  takes  the  wrong  road  must 

make  his  journey  twice  over. 
The   devil  is  abroad ;   i.e.,  disputes 

and  ill  feeling  prevail. 
Disturbances  or  dangers  are  rife. 
To  go  to  the  dogs. 
To  throw  a  doubt  upon  a  person's 

credit. 
To  go  away  in  enmity. 
To  quibble  ;  to  cavil ;  to  evade. 
To  play  roughly. 
Be  off  with  you  ! 

Be  off !  go  away  ! 

Expression  of  approval,  or  great  dis- 
pleasure. 

Away  with  you  !  out  of  my  sight  ! 

To  act  cautiously  and  justly. 

To  pursue  a  thing  successfully. 

To  do  things  quickly. 

To  proceed  with  the  greatest  cir- 
cumspection. 

To  be  in  haste  ;  to  be  much  occu- 
pied. 

To  proceed  cautiously. 

A  man  will  work  hard  to  secure  a 
comfortable  living. 

Of  two  ways  choose  the  safest. 

This  affair  has  come  into  the  hands 

of  experts. 
The  wheel  of  Fortune  goes    faster 

than  a  mill-wheel. 
The   mill   gains   by  going,  not   by 

standing  still. 
To  be  active  or  diligent. 
Be  quick  !  make  haste  ! 
To  seek  office  importunately. 
If  nothing  prevents,  I  will  do  it. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


17 


Audar  por  una  cosa. 

Andar  á  caza  de  alguna  cosa. 

Andar  tentando. 

Andar  tras  alguno. 

Andar  por  el  pleito. 

Andar  un  negocio. 

Andar  á  caza  con  hurón  muerto. 

Andar  prudente. 
Andar,  ó  ir  á  la  ahorrativa. 
Andar  sin  recelo. 
Andar  con  el  tiempo. 

Andar  con  cuidado. 
Anclar  ó  estar  hecho  un  negocio. 
Andar  ó  estar  holgado. 
Andar  alguna  cosa  muy  tirada. 


.\iide  la  loza. 

Andar  de  ganancia. 

Andar  con  zapatos  de  fieltro. 

Andar  á  las  bonicas. 

Andar  con  la  cara  descubierta. 

Andar  á  derechas. 

Andar  á  caza. 

Andar  cazando. 

Andar  á  la  gineta. 

Andar,  ó  verse   en  los  cuernos  del 

toro. 
Andársele  á  uno  la  cabeza. 
Andar,  ó  estar  el  mundo  al  revés. 

Quien  no  pueda  andar,  que  corra. 

Andarse  en  flores. 

Andarse  á  la  flor  del  berro  ;  ó  bus- 
car la  flor  del  berro. 

No  andemos  en  cháncharras  mán- 
charras. 


To  strive  for  a  thing. 

To  go  in  pursuit  of  anything. 

To  make  essays  or  trials. 

To  follow  a  person  ;  to  go  in  pursuit. 

To  have  charge  of  a  lawsuit. 

To  undertake  the  charge  of  a  case 

or  business. 
To    undertake    a    business    without 

adequate  means. 
To  act  prudently. 
To  go  to  work  frugally. 
To  have  no  fear. 
To  conform  one's  self  to  the  times  ; 

to  be  a  time  server. 
To  be  careful. 
To  be  very  busy. 
To  be  well  provided  for. 
To  be  difficult  to  find  ;  to  be  sold 

dear. 
To  try  for  a  sinecure. 
Noisy  mirth  and  jollity. 
To  pursue  things  successfully. 
To  proceed  with  caution  and  silence. 
To  take  things  easily. 
To  act  openly. 
To  act  honestly. 
To  go  hunting. 
To  hunt ;  to  seek. 
To  go  at  a  short  trot. 
To  find  one's  self  on  the  horns  of  the 

bull  ;  to  be  in  imminent  danger. 
To  have  vertigo  ;  to  become  dizzy. 
Sometimes  the  world  seems   topsy- 

tur\'y. 
To  command  difficult  things  to  one 

who  cannot  do  easy  ones. 
To  decline  entering  into  a  debate. 
To  give  one's  self  up  to  pleasure. 

Let  us  not  use  subterfuges  or  eva- 
sions. 


IS 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Andar  como  el  corcho  sobre  el  agua  : 
ó  ir  como  el  corcho  por  el  agua. 

Quien  anda  á  tomar  pegas,  toma 
unas  blancas  y  otras  negras. 

La  verdad  siempre  anda  sobre  la 
mentira  como  el  aceite  sobre  el 
agua. 

Andar,  comer,  ó  meterse  de  gorra. 

Andar  en  mangas  de  camisa. 
¡  Bueno  anda  el  ajo  ! 

Cuando  la  zorra  anda  á  caza  de 
grillos,  mal  para  ella,  y  peor  para 
sus  hijos. 

El  mentir  y  el  compadrar,  ambos 
andan  á  la  par. 

A  mas  andar. 

Andar  en  buena  vela. 

Andar  todo. 

Andar  á  sombra  de  tejado. 

Andar  con  pies  de  mar. 

El  poco  andar  del  barco. 

Anhelar  honores. 

Al  anochecer. 

Anochecerle  á  uno  en  alguna  parte. 

Anochecer,  y  no  amanecer. 
Antojársele  á  uno  alguna  cosa. 
Añudar  los  labios. 
Anudarse  la  voz. 

Añadir   fuego   á   fuego,    ó    levantar 

fuego. 
Apagar  la  cal ;  ó  azogar  la  cal. 
Apagar  la  voz. 

Apagóse  el  tizón,  y  pareció  quien  lo 

encendió. 
Apagar  el  hambre. 


To  be  always   ready  to  follow  the 

opinion    of   another ;    to   be   like 

a  cork  on  the  water. 
It  is  difficult  to  get  exactly  what  we 

want.  , 

Truth  always  rises  above  falsehood 

as  oil  rises  above  water. 

To  go  to  meals  at  other  people's 
houses  without  invitation. 

To  be  in  one's  shirt-sleeves. 

A  fine  state  of  things,  to  be  sure  ! 
(ironical). 

The  fox  and  her  young  must  be 
badly  off  when  she  goes  hunting 
for  crickets. 

False  friends  try  to  outwit  each 
other. 

At  full  speed  (nau.). 

To  be  under  full  sail  (nau.)-. 

To  put  up  the  helm  (nau.). 

To  be  under  the  hatches  (nau.). 

To  have  one's  sea  legs  (nau.). 

The  slow  way  of  the  ship  (nau.). 

To  aspire  to  honors. 

At  nightfall. 

To  be  in  a  place  at  nightfall ;  to  be 
benighted  somewhere. 

To  disappear  furtively. 

To  desire  or  judge  thoughtlessly. 

To  keep  silence. 

Inability  to  speak,  consequent  upon 
excitement. 

To  add  fire  to  flame  ;  to  foment 
difficulties  or  quarrels. 

To  slack  lime. 

To  deaden  the  sound  of  an  instru- 
ment. 

When  the  quarrel  is  over,  the  instiga- 
tor appears. 

To  satisfy  hunger. 


SPANISI/  IDIOMS. 


\9 


Apagar  ó  matar  la  sed. 

Una  y  otra  gota  aj)agan  la  sed. 

Apalabrarse  de  sed. 

Apalear  el  dinero,  los  doblones,  ó  el 

oro. 
A  los  bobos  se  les  aparece  la  madre 

de  Dios. 
Aparentarse,  ó  apartarse  del  derecho. 
Eso  lo  apartará,  ó  acabará  la  pala  y 

el  azadón. 
Apartar  el  grano  de  la  paja. 

Apasionarse  de  .  .  . 

Apear  el  rio. 

Apearse  por  la  cola  ó  por  las  orejas. 

Apear  una  caballería. 

Aparear  un  tiro  de  caballos  de  coche. 

Apelar  el  enfermo. 

Apellidar  libertad. 

Castillo  apercibido,  no  es  combatido. 

Fulano  me  apesta  con  su  afectación. 

La  traición  place,  mas  no  el  que  la 
hace. 

Aplicar  el  oido. 

Aporrearse  en  la  jaula. 

Apostar  carreras. 

Apostarlas,  ó  apostárselas. 

Aprender  de  cabeza,  ó  de  memoria. 

En  barba  de  necio  aprenden  todos  á 
rapar. 

Lo  que  se  aprende  en  la  cuna,  siem- 
pre dura. 

Apretar  con  uno. 

Apretar  la  mano. 

Apretar  la  cuerda. 

Apretar  hasta  que  salte  la  cuerda. 

Apretar  á  uno  la  nuez. 
Apretar  ó  levantar  los  talones. 


To  quench  the  thirst. 

Continual     dropi)ing     wears     away 

stone. 
To  suffer  great  thirst. 
To  amass  money  ;  to  be  excessively 

rich. 
A  dvuice  may  have  good  luck. 

To  cancel  a  claim  or  debt. 
Death  only  can  cure  that. 

To  distinguish  between  what  is  im- 
portant and  what  is  not  so. 

To  dote  upon  .  .  . 

To  ford  the  ri\er. 

To  give  an  absurd  answer. 

To  hopple  a  horse,  or  mule. 

To  match  a  set  of  horses. 

To  escape  death  from  sickness. 

To  proclaim  liberty. 

Forewarned  is  forearmed.         , 

He  disgusts  me  with  his  affectation. 

Men  love  the  treason,  but  not  the 
traitor. 

To  listen. 

To  engage  in  fruitless  toils. 

To  run  races. 

To  contend  ;  to  defy. 

To  learn  by  heart. 

On  a  fool's  beard  all  learn  to  shave. 

What  is  learned  in  childhood  is  never 
forgotten. 

To  attack  a  person. 

To  blame  or  punish  severely. 

To  draw  the  reins  tighter  (of  law  or 
discipline). 

To  urge  a  person  till  he  loses  pa- 
tience. 

To  strangle  a  person. 

To  take  to  one's  heels. 


20 


SPAX/Sfí  IDIOMS. 


Apretar  un  caballo. 

Apretar  á  correr. 

Apretar  el  paso. 

Apretar  ó  picar  de  soleta. 

Apretar  el  argumento. 

Apretar  á  alguien  con  fuertes  ra- 
zones. 

Mucho  aprieta  este  testigo. 

Apretar  los  puños. 

Aprovechar  la  ocasión. 

Aprovecharse  de  la  ocasión. 

El  hijo  que  aprovece,  á  su  padre 
parece. 

¿Que  aprovecha  candil  sin  mecha? 

Apunta  el  dia. 

Su  barba,  ó  bozo,  apunta. 

Apuntar  una  herramienta. 
Apuntar. 
Apuntar  la  ropa. 
Apuntar  en  el  teatro. 
Apuntar  los  vegetales. 
Apuntar  y  no  dar. 
Apuntar  una  cosa. 
Apuntar  á  un  blanco. 
Apuntar  de  memoria. 

He  apurado  todos  los  recursos,  y  no 

he  podido  conseguirlo. 
El  discípulo  se  está  apurando. 
Apurar  una  noticia. 
Apurar  la  copa  del  dolor  hasta  las 

heces. 
Verse  apurado. 
Me  vi  apurado,  ó  en  apuros. 
Apurar  á  uno. 

Apurar  la  paciencia. 

Apurarse. 

¡  Apure  V.  que  es  tarde  ! 


To  spur  a  horse. 

To  start  off  running. 

To  hasten. 

To  run  away. 

To  press  vigorously  by  argument. 

To  press  with  urgent  reasons. 

This  witness  is  significant. 

To  exert  one's  utmost  efforts. 

To  profit  by  the  occasion. 

To  catch  the  ball  on  the  rebound. 

Like  produces  like. 

What  is  the  use  of  a  candle  without 
a  wick  ? 

The  day  breaks. 

His  beard,  or  moustache,  begins  to 
grow. 

To  point  a  tool. 

To  write  shorthand. 

To  sew  pieces  together  to  be  washed. 

To  prompt  at  the  theatre. 

To  grow  up. 

To  promise  readily,  but  not  perform. 

To  touch  slightly  on  anything. 

To  aim  at  a  mark. 

To  sit  down  without  money,  to  gam- 
ble. 

I  have  exhausted  every  resource,  and 
could  not  succeed. 

The  pupil  studies  diligently. 

To  know  something  thoroughly. 

To  drain  the  cup  of  misery  to  the 
dregs. 

To  be  in  difficulties. 

I  was  embarrassed. 

To  tease,  perplex,  or  make  one 
angry. 

To  exhaust  the  patience. 

To  be  grieved  ;  to  worry. 

Hurry  !  it  is  late  ! 


SPAA'/S//  IDIOMS. 


21 


Quien   las  cosas   mucho  apura,    no 

tiene  vida  segura. 
Arañar  la  cubierta. 
Arañar  riquezas. 
Arañarse  con  los  codos. 

Araña  ¿  quien  te  arañó  ?    otra  araña 

como  yo. 
El  gato  de  Mari- Ramos  halaga  con 

la  cola,  y  araña  con  las  manos. 
Arar  con  el  ancla. 
Ara  con  niños,  segarás  codillos. 

Ares  ó  no  ares,  renta  me  pagues. 
Are  mi  buey  por  lo  holgado,  y  el 

tuyo  por  lo  alabado. 
Ara  por  enjuto,  ó  por  mojado,  no 

besarás  á  tu  vecino  el  rabo. 
Arbolar  con  caida. 
Arbolarse. 

Tal  buque  arbola  tantos  palos. 
La  mar  arde. 
Puede  arder  en  un  candil. 

La  provincia  se  arde  en  disturbios. 

Arderse  en  pleitos. 

Arder  en  deseo  de  hacer  una  cosa. 

Arder  de  impaciencia. 

Ardiendo  en  cólera. 

Argüirle  á  uno  su  conciencia. 

Quien  no  se  arriesga,  no  pasa  la  mar. 

Armar  un  caramillo. 

Armar  pleito,  ó  ruido. 

Armar  un  lazo. 

Armar  una  casa. 

Armar  una  cama. 

Armar  los  remos. 

Armar  traición. 

Armar  caballero. 

Armarse  de  paciencia. 


Those  who  meddle  with  other  peo- 

])lc's  affairs  do  not  have  an  easy  life. 
To  make  great  exertions. 
To  gather  riches. 
To    rejoice    in    the    misfortunes    of 

others. 
A  man's  enemies  are  generally  of  his 

own  trade. 
One  who  flatters  another  with  intent 

to  injure  ;  a  hypocrite. 
To  drag  the  anchor  (nau.). 
Experienced  labor  is  cheapest  in  the 

end. 
Rent  must  be  paid,  crops  or  no  crops. 
Land  is  much  improved  by  fallowing. 

An  industrious  person  does  not  need 

to  beg. 
To  give  the  masts  a  rake  (nau.). 
To  rear  (said  of  horses). 
Such  a  vessel  carries  so  many  masts. 
The  sea  sparkles. 
It  would  burn  in  a  lamp  (applied  to 

generous  wine  or  brilliant  people). 
The  pro\-ince  is  greatly  disturbed. 
To  be  entangled  in  lawsuits. 
To  burn  with  desire  to  do  a  thing. 
To  burn  with  impatience. 
Fuming  with  anger. 
To  be  pricked  by  one's  conscience. 
Nothing  venture,  nothing  have. 
To  raise  disturbances. 
To  stir  up  disturbances. 
To  lay  a  snare,  or  set  a  trap. 
To  raise  the  frame  of  a  house. 
To  set  up  a  bedstead. 
To  man  the  oars. 
To  conspire  ;  to  plot  treason. 
To  knight  ;  to  prepare  for  war. 
To  arm  one's  self  with  patience  ;    to 

prepare  to  suffer. 


22 


SP.LV/S//  /D/OJ/S. 


Arco    siempre    armado,    ó    flojo,    ó 

quebrado. 
Armar  en  guerra. 
Armar  de  punta  en  blanco. 
Armarla  con  queso. 
Armar  la  cuenta. 
Armarla. 
Armar  á  otro. 
Armar  navio,  ó  bajel. 
Armar  un  líaile,  una  fiesta,  etc. 
Con  frac  negro  bien  arma  chaleco 

blanco. 
Arrancar  de  cuajo. 
El  buey  viejo  arranca  la  gatuña  del 

barbecho. 
Arrancar  á  uno  alguna  cosa. 
Arrancársele  el  corazón  á  alguno. 
Arrancar   el    alma,    el    corazón,   las 

entrañas. 
Arrancar  ó  levantar  la  casa. 

Arrancar  la  espada. 
Arrancársele  á  uno  el  alma. 
Arrancarse  el  cielo. 
Arrasarse  los  ojos  de  lágrimas. 
Arrastrar  los  trabajos. 

Arrastrar  ó  rodar  coche. 

Arrastrar  los  pies. 

Arrecia  la  borasca. 

Arrebócese  con  ello. 

Arreglar  el  velamen. 

Vieja  escarmentada,  arregazada  pasa 

el  agua. 
Una  vez  que  me  arremangué,  toda 

me  ensucié. 
No  le  arriendo  la  ganancia. 
Quien    presto    se    determina,    mas 

presto  se  arrepiente. 
Arriar  un  cabo. 
Arriar  las  velas. 


The  bow  forever  bent  must  break. 

To  arm  a  merchant  vessel. 

To  be  armed  to  the  teeth. 

To  decoy. 

To  make  up  accounts. 

To  cheat  at  cards. 

To  lend  money  to  a  friend. 

To  fit  out  a  ship. 

To  prepare  a  ball,  a  feast,  etc. 

A  white  waistcoat  goes  well  with  a 
black  coat. 

To  eradicate. 

It  is  not  well  to  despise  old  things, 
which  may  be  better  than  new. 

To  obtain  something  by  importunity. 

To  feel  great  sympathy  for  a  person. 

To  be  overwhelmed  with  grief  or 
pity. 

To  quit  a  house  ;  to  break  up  house- 
keeping. 

To  unsheath  the  sword. 

To  die  broken-hearted. 

The  clouds  are  dispersing. 

To  weep  bitterly. 

To  encounter  fatigues,  and  bear  them 
patiently. 

To  possess  a  carriage. 

To  be  old. 

The  storm  increases. 

Let  him  keep  it. 

To  trim  the  sails  (nau.). 

Only  fools  fall  twice  into  the  same 
error. 

My  bad  luck  follows  me. 

I  should  not  like  to  be  in  his  shoes. 
He  who  resolves  in  haste  repents  at 

leisure. 
To  pay  out  the  cable  (nau.). 
To  take  in  sail  (nau.). 


SPAA'/S/Í  IDIOMS. 


23 


Arriar  la  gávi.i. 

Arriar  la  bandera. 

Arriar  banderas  ¡x  media  asta. 

Arribar,  ó  llegar  á  puerto  de  Salva- 
mento. 

Arribaos,  torgado,  c¡ue  tras  la  cuesta 
está  lo  llano. 

Arrimarse  de  gorra  y  mogolla. 

Arrimarse  á  la  candela. 

Arrimarse  á  un  partido. 

Arrimar  á  uno. 

Arrimar  los  libros. 

Arrimar  al  punto  de  la  dificultad. 

Arrímate  k  los  buenos,  y  serás  uno 
de  ellos. 

x'X.rrimarse  á  una  persona. 

Quien  á  buen  árbol  se  arrima,  buena 

sombra  le  cobija. 
Arrimar  una  cosa. 
Arrimar  ó  poner   una   cosa   contra 

otra. 
Arrimarse  á  la  verdad. 
Arrimarse  al  parecer  de  otro. 
Arrimarle  á  uno  un  delito. 
Arrimar  las  espuelas  al  caballo. 
Arrimar  el  hombro. 
Arrimar  el  bastón. 
Arrimar  el  clavo  á  uno. 
Arrizar  la  artillera. 
Arrizar  el  ancla. 
Arrójemelas  y  arrójeselas. 

No  arrojemos  la  soga  tras  el  caldero. 

Arrojar  ó  echar  por  la  ventana. 

Arrojar  de  sí. 

Arrostrar  los  peligros,  ó  la  muerte. 

Arrugar  la  frente. 

Asegurar  la  bandera. 


To  clew  up  the  rnain-top-sail  (nau.). 

To  strike  the  colors. 

To  put  the  flag  at  half-mast. 

To  succeed  in  a  difficult  enterprise. 

Work  courageously  ;  rest  will  come. 

To  act  as  a  parasite. 

To  approach  the  fire,  or  light. 

To  side  with  a  party. 

To  depose  one  from  his  office. 

To  abandon  a  study. 

To  come  to  the  point. 

Consort  with  good  people,  and  you 
will  become  one  of  them. 

To  place  one's  self  under  the  pro- 
tection of  another. 

He  who  leans  against  a  good  tree 
finds  a  good  shelter. 

To  take  something  out  of  the  way. 

To  push  one  thing  against  another. 

To  approach  the  truth. 

To  espouse  another's  opinion. 

To  impute  a  crime. 

To  spur  a  horse. 

To  work  with  a  will ;  to  lend  a  hand. 

To  abandon  an  official  position. 

To  impose  upon  ;  to  deceive. 

To  house  the  guns  (nau.). 

To  stow  the  anchor  (nau.). 

\\t  had  a  violent  quarrel,  and  abused 

each  other  roundly. 
Do  not  let  us  throw  the  rope  after 

the  bucket. 
To  squander,  to  waste. 
To  send  a  person  away  angrily. 
To  brave  dangers,  or  death. 
To  frown  with  anger,  or  fear. 
To  salute  the  colors  when  hoisting 

them. 


24 


SPA.VISH  IDIOMS. 


Asentar  casa. 
Asentarse  los  licores. 
Asentar  el  pié. 
Asentar  plaza. 
Asentar  con  amo. 
Asentar  con  maestro. 
Asentar  la  mano,  ó  el  guante. 
Asentar  el  rancho. 
Asentar  en  falso. 
Asentar  bien  su  baza. 
Asentar  la  espada. 

Asentar  el  juicio. 

Aserrar  á  la  berengena. 
Ese  hombre  me  asesina. 

Asir  la  ocasión  por  la  melena,  ó  por 

los  cabellos. 
Asirse  de  alguna  cosa. 
Asirse  á  las  ramas. 
Asirle  por  el  rabo. 
Asir  de  la  reja,  del  balustre. 

Asistir  á  uno  la  razón. 

En  casa  del  oficial  asoma  el  hambre, 

mas  no  osa  entrar. 
Asosegarse  uno  en  su  caballo. 
Asparse  á  gritos. 
Aspirar  á  la  mano  de  una  mujer. 
Atacar  bien  la  plaza. 
Atajar  ganados. 
Atajar  la  tierra. 
Loco  de  atar. 
Atarse  las  manos. 
Jsi  ata,  ni  desata. 

Quien  bien  ata,  bien  desata. 

Atar  bien  su  dedo. 
Atar  las  manos. 


To  set  up  housekeeping. 

The  liquids  settle. 

To  step  firmly. 

To  enlist  in  the  army. 

To  agree  to  serve  a  person. 

To  bind  one's  self  as  apprentice. 

To  strike  or  punish  any  one. 

To  stop  at  a  station  for  rest  or  food. 

To  set  a  thing  aslant. 

To  establish  one's  character,  or  credit. 

To  finish  the  bout,  and  lay  down  the 
sword  (fencing). 

To  begin  being  sensible  and  judi- 
cious. 

To  cut  across  the  grain. 

That  man  vexes  or  worries  me  to 
death. 

To  take  time  by  the  forelock. 

To  avail  one's  self  of  an  opportunity. 

To  make  frivolous  excuses. 

It  is  difficult  to  overtake  a  fugitive. 

To  quarrel ;  to  pass  from  words  to 
blows. 

To  be  right. 

He  who  has  a  trade  never  need  lack 
means  of  livelihood. 

To  sit  very  firmly  on  horseback. 

To  hoot ;  to  cry  out  with  vehemence. 

To  wish  to  marry  a  woman. 

To  eat  a  great  deal. 

To  collect  herds. 

To  reconnoitre  the  ground. 

A  fool  or  madman,  needing  restraint. 

To  tie  one's  self  down  by  a  promise. 

To  talk  at  random,  without  judg- 
ment. 

He  who  hides  knows  where  to  find  ; 
fast  bind,  safe  find. 

To  look  out  for  one's  own  interest. 

To  prevent  a  thing  from  being  done. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


25 


El  cuerdo  no  ata  el  saber  á  estaca. 

Atar  por  la  cola. 

Al  potro  y  al  mozo  el  ataharre  flojo, 

y  apretado  el  bozo. 
Atar  la  lengua. 
Atenerse  á  alguna  parte. 
Atenerse  á  la  letra. 
Atizar  la  lámpara. 

¿  Pedro,  porqué  atiza  ?  por  gozar  de 

la  ceniza. 
Á  olla  que  hierve,  nunca  mosca  se 

atreve. 

Atrasado  de  noticias. 

No  atravesar,  ó  no  pisar  los  umbrales. 

Atravesar  el  corazón. 

Atravesársele  á  uno  un  nudo  en  la 

garganta. 
Atravesar  con  alguno  una  palabra. 
Atropellar  las  leyes. 
Atropellar  el  caballo. 
Avanzado  de  edad. 
Aventarse  las  carnes. 
Aventarse  el  ganado. 

Quien  no  se  aventura  no  pasará  la 
mar. 

Rocin  y  manzanas ;  ó  aunque  se 
aventuren,  rocin  y  manzanas. 

Averiguarse  con  alguno. 

Avisar  con  tiempo,  avisar  anticipa- 
damente. 

Avivar  el  ojo,  ó  los  ojos. 

Avivar  el  paso. 

Á  los  osados,  ayuda  la  fortuna. 

Á  quien  madruga.  Dios  le  ayuda. 


No  wise  man  follows  another's  opin- 
ion Ijlindly. 

To  put  the  cart  before  the  horse. 

Colts  and  boys  must  be  well  fed  and 
well  governed. 

To  prevent  a  thing  from  being  said. 

To  abide  ;  to  remain  in  a  place. 

To  keep  to  the  letter  of  the  text. 

To  raise  the  lampwick ;  or,  to  refill 
the  glasses. 

Why  does  Peter  sow?  because  he 
hopes  to  reap. 

Flies  do  not  seek  the  boiling  pot ; 
evident  destruction  is  not  attrac- 
tive. 

Ignorant  of  common  things. 

Not  to  go  into  a  house ;  not  to 
darken  one's  door. 

To  move  one  to  compassion. 

To  be  speechless  on  account  of  vio- 
lent emotion. 

To  speak  with  a  person. 

To  act  in  defiance  of  the  law. 

To  overwork  a  horse. 

Stricken  in  years.  " 

The  meat  spoils. 

To  run  away  frightened ;  to  stam- 
pede (applied  to  cattle) . 

Faint  heart  never  won  fair  lady. 

To  be  determined  to  do  something, 

happen  what  may. 
To  bring  one  to  reason. 
To  warn,  or  give  warning. 

To  be  on  one's  guard. 

To  accelerate  the  pace. 

Fortune  favors  the  brave. 

God  helps  those  who  help  them- 
selves ;  activity  and  industry  se- 
cure success. 


26 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Ayúdate,  y  ayudarte  hé. 
¡  Mejor  te  ayude  Dios  ! 

Hermano  ayuda,  y  cuñado  acuña. 

Ayudándose  tres,  para  peso  de  seis. 

Ayudado  por  pobre. 
Ayunar  al  traspaso. 

Ayunar  después  de  harto. 
Harto  ayuna  quien  mal  come. 
Azotar  el  aire. 

Azotar  las  calles. 

Bailar  sin  son. 

Bailar  á  cualquier  son. 

Bailar  al  son  que  se  toca. 

Bailar  el  agua  adelante. 

Por  el  dinero  baila,  ó  salta  el  perro. 

Por  dinero  baila  el  perro,  y  por  pan, 
si  se  \o  dan. 

Bailar  el  pelado. 

Quien  bien  baila,  de  boda  en  boda 
se  anda. 

Bailo  bien  y  echáisme  del  corro. 

Bailar  el  agua ;  ó  bailar  el  agua  de- 
lante. 

Bajar  el  precio,  ó  la  mano. 

El  precio  baja. 

Bajar  los  bríos  á  alguno. 

Bajar  la  cabeza,  ó  la  cerviz. 

Bajar  las  orejas. 
Bajar  los  ojos. 

Bajar  el  punto. 

Bajar  el  punto  á  alguna  cosa. 


Trust  to  your  own  exertions,  and 
not  to  the  help  of  others. 

I  wish  you  something  better  !  (an- 
swer to  one  who  has  said  a  mali- 
cious or  mendacious  thing). 

Brothers  or  brothers-in-law  some- 
times disagree. 

Three  who  help  each  other  are  as 
good  as  six. 

In  forma  pauperis  (legal) . 

To  fast  from  Holy  Thursday  to  the 
following  Saturday. 

To  fast  after  a  good  meal. 

A  bad  meal  is  no  better  than  fasting. 

To  act  to  no  purpose  ;  to  labor  in 
vain. 

To  lounge  about  the  streets  ;  to  idle. 

To  be  exceedingly  eager. 

To  be  easily  moved  by  affection  or 
passion. 

To  adapt  one's  self  to  circumstances. 

To  dance  attendance. 

Money  makes  the  mare  go. 

Money  is  attractive  even  to  those 
who  do  not  need  it. 

To  have  no  money. 

Those  who  have  some  special  ac- 
complishment like  to  exhibit  it. 

True  merit  is  not  always  appreciated. 

To  exert  one's  self  to  please  a  person. 

To  cheapen. 

The  price  lessens. 

To  mortify  ;  to  humble. 

To  bow  the  head ;  to  humble  one's 

self;  to  obey. 
To  yield ;  to  humble  one's  self. 
To   cast    down    the    eyes ;    to    be 

ashamed. 
To  temper. 
To  moderate  ;  to  lessen. 


SPAXÍSII  IDIOMS. 


27 


Bajar  de  punto. 

Baja  el  frió. 

Baja  la  calentura. 

Bajar  la  golilla. 

Bajarse  la  sangre  á  los  talones,  ó  á 

los  zancajos. 
Bajar  de  ley  el  oro. 
Bajar  por  un  rio. 
Bajar  al  jardin. 
Bajar  á  la  arena. 
Bajar  la  tierra. 
El  hijo  de  la  cabra,  de  una  hora  á 

otra  bala. 
Bañarse  en  agua  rosada. 

Bañar  la  luz  algún  espacio. 

Bañar  el  sol  algiui  espacio. 

Barajar  un  negocio. 

Barajar  una  proposición. 

Barbeando. 

Barrenar  un  navio. 

Barrenar  una  roca,  ó  mina. 

Barrer  un  navio  de  popa  á  proa. 

Barrer  el  terraplén. 

Escoba  nueva  barre  bien. 

Yo  dueña  y  vos  doncella  ¿  quien  bar- 
rerá la  casa? 

Al  buen  entendedor  pocas  palabras 
bastan. 

Al  hombre  mezquino,  bástatale  un 
rocino. 

Batirse  en  duelo. 

¡  A!  hierro  caliente  batir  de  repente  ! 

Batir  las  olas. 

Batir  moneda. 

Batir  el  campo,  ó  la  campaña. 

Batir  en  brecha. 

Batir  banderas. 

Batir  en  ruina. 
Batir  la  catarata. 


To  decay  ;  to  decline. 

The  cold  diminishes. 

The  fever  lessens. 

To  be  pacified. 

To  be  very  much  terrified. 

To  alloy  gold. 

To  drop  down  a  river. 

To  go  down  to  the  garden. 

To  take  up  the  cudgels. 

To  lay  out  the  land. 

A  mean  nature  is  sure  to  betray  it- 
self sooner  or  later. 

To  be  very  much  pleased ;  to  look 
through  rose-colored  glasses. 

To  be  illuminated. 

To  flood  with  sunlight. 

To  entangle  or  confuse  an  affair. 

To  reject  a  proposal. 

Lying  alongside  (nau.). 

To  scuttle  or  sink  a  ship  (nau.). 

To  blast  a  rock,  or  mine. 

To  rake  a  ship  fore  and  aft  (nau.). 

To  sweep  the  terre-plein  (mil.). 

New  brooms  sweep  clean. 

Each  one  must  fulfil  the  duties  of 
his  position. 

A  word  to  the  wise  is  enough. 

Misers  lament  their  expenses. 

To  fight  a  duel. 
Strike  while  the  iron  is  hot  ! 
To  ply  the  seas. 
To  coin  money. 

To  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  camp. 
To  storm  a  fortress  (mil.). 
To  dip  the  flag  in  presence  of  au- 
thorities (mil.). 
To  make  a  breach  (mil.). 
To  remove  a  cataract  from  the  eye. 


28 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Batir  el  monte,  el  bosque. 

Batir  el  agua  por  la  ventana. 
El  cierzo  bate  á  Madrid. 
Batirse  el  cobre. 
Batir  la  lana. 
Batir  un  libro. 
Batir  el  cobre. 

Batir  los  ijares,  ó  las  ijadas. 

Beber  el  pilón. 

Beber  en  blanco. 

Beber  la  doctrina  ó  el  espíritu  á 
alguno. 

Beber  las  palabras,  ó  acentos,  ó  ac- 
ciones. 

Beber  palabra  y  semblante. 

Beber  los  vientos. 
Beber  los  sesos. 
Beber  el  freno. 

Beber  á  tragantadas. 
Beber  de  codos. 
Beber  como  una  cuba. 
Beber  sobre  tarja. 
Beber  de  antun. 
Beber  á  bocados. 

Sobre  brevas,  no  bebas. 
No  bebas  en  laguna,  ni  comas  mas 
que  una  aceituna. 

Beber  en  las  fuentes. 

Beber  los  pensamientos  á  alguno. 
Es  tan  delgado  que  se  puede  liel^er. 
Ya  que  no  bebo  en  la  taberna,  huél- 

gome  en  ella. 
Beber  fresco. 


To    beat    the    bushes,    the    woods 

(hunting). 
To  throw  water  from  the  window. 
The  north  wind  blows  at  Madrid. 
To  toil  hard  for  useful  purposes. 
To  shear  animals. 
To  press  a  book  after  printing. 
To  pursue  an  enterprise  with  activity 

and  interest. 
To  spur  a  horse,  or  wound  a  horse 

with  spurs. 
To  believe  current  rumors. 
Said  of  a  horse  with  a  white  mouth. 
To  absorb  the  doctrine  or  spirit  of 

another. 
To  listen  with  rapt  attention. 

To  listen  intently ;  or  to  serve  an- 
other carefully. 

To  solicit  with  much  eagerness. 

To  bewitch. 

To  take  the  bit  between  the  teeth 
(horses). 

To  drink  huge  draughts. 

To  drink  at  leisure  and  luxuriously. 

To  drink  like  a  fish. 

To  obtain  drink  on  credit. 

To  drink  as  often  as  invited. 

To  drink  from  a  fountain  or  stream 
without  a  cup. 

Do  not  drink  after  eating  early  figs. 

Do  not  drink  at  a  lagoon,  nor  eat 
more  than  one  olive  (both  are 
unhealthy) . 

To  obtain  information  at  headquar- 
ters. 

To  anticipate  one's  thoughts. 

To  exaggerate  the  fineness  of  a  thing. 

He  who  cannot  drink  at  the  tavern 
may  at  least  sniff  the  fumes. 

To  be  traniiuil. 


sr.LV/s//  /¿)/oj/s. 


29 


Querer  beber  la  sangre  á  otro. 
Al  pié  del  coco  se  bebe  el  agua. 
Beber  los  vientos  por  una  persona. 

¡  Bendito  sea  Dios  ! 
Bendecir  Dios  á  las  criaturas. 
¡  Dios  te  bendiga  ! 
Beneficiar  una  compañía  de  cabal- 
lería. 
Besar  el  azote. 
Besar  la  mano,  ó  los  pies. 

Besar  la  tierra  que  otro  pisa. 

Besar  la  correa. 

Besar  el  jarro. 

A  besar. 

Manos  besa  el  hombre  que  quisiera 

ver  quemadas. 
Birar  de  bordo. 

Birar  de  bordo  tomando  por  avante. 
Birar  para  popa,  para  proa. 
Birar  por  las  aguas  de  otro  bajel. 

¡  Bira  !    ¡  Bira  ! 
Birar  de  bordo  en  redondo. 
Birar  el  cabrestante. 
Blasonar  del  arnés. 

Bornear  la  verdad. 
Bornear  las  palabras. 


To  hate  a  person  mortally. 

Opportunities  should  not  be  lost. 

To  make  love  to  a  person  assidu- 
ously. 

Praise  be  to  God  ! 

God  blesses  his  creatures. 

God  bless  and  preserve  you  ! 

To  buy  the  commission  of  a  captain 
of  cavalry. 

To  kiss  the  rod. 

To  kiss  the  hands  or  feet  (expres- 
sions of  regard  or  respect). 

To  kiss  the  ground  another  treads  on 
(excessive  respect). 

To  be  forced  to  submit  to  another. 

To  drink. 

Home,  or  block  and  block  (nau.). 

To  serve  a  person  against  one's  will. 

To  tack,  or  go  about  (nau.). 

To  work  or  beat  to  windward  (nau.). 

To  heave  astern  or  ahead  (nau.). 

To  tack  in  the  wake  of  another  ship 
(nau.). 

Heave  cheerily  !  (nau.) 

To  stand  to  leeward  (nau.). 

To  heave  at  the  capstan  (nau.). 

To  boast  of  achievements  never  per- 
formed. 

To  distort  the  truth. 

To  distort  words  to  different  mean- 


El  navio  bornea. 

Borrar  la  plaza. 

Borrar,  ó  borrase  de  la  memoria. 
La  ausencia  borra  los  recuerdos. 
Botar  al  agua  alguna  embarcación. 
Botarse,  ó  bajar,  ó  caer  el  color. 
Tal  hora  el  corazón  brama,  aunque 
la  lengua  calla. 


The  ship  swings  round  her  anchor 

( nau. ) . 
To  abolish  an  office  or  position. 
To  forget. 

Out  of  sight,  out  of  mind. 
To  launch  a  ship. 
To  fade. 
It  is  not  always  prudent  to  express 

our  feelings. 


30 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Arco  que   mucho  brega,  ó  el,  ó  la 

cuerda  quiebra. 
Bullirle  á  uno  alguna  cosa. 
Bullirle  los  pies. 
Bullir  la  sangre. 
Tiempos  hay  de  burlar,  y  tiempos 

donde    caen   y   parecen   mal   las 

burlas. 
Burlaos  con  el  asno,  daros  ha  con  el 

rabo  en  la  casa. 
Burla  burlando  vase  el  lobo  al  asno. 
Burlaos  con  el  loco  en  casa,  burlará 

con  vos  en  la  plaza. 

Con  la  mujer  y  el  dinero  no  te  burles 

compañero. 
Burla  burlando  hemos  caminado  ya 

dos  leguas. 
Burla  burlando  consiguió  su  empleo. 

Buscar  el  vivo  á  una  pieza  de  cañón. 

Buscar  á  tientas. 

Buscar  rodeos. 

Buscar  por  todos  lados. 

Cada  uno  busca  á  los  suyos. 

Quien  busca,  halla. 

Buscar  cinco  pies  al  gato. 

Buscar  la  paja  en  el  oido. 

Buscar  el  pelo  al  huevo. 

Buscar  á  uno. 

Al    hombre    bueno    no   le   busques 

abolengo. 
Buscar  la  lengua. 
El  busca  la  muerte,  ya  que  no  el 

triumfo. 
Buscar  la  madre  gallega,  ó  irse  con  su 

madre  gallega  ;  ó  buscar  la  vida. 
Goza  de   tu   poco,   mientras   busca 

mas  el  loco. 


Excessive  work  destroys  vigor. 

To  be  earnestly  desirous  of  a  thing. 
To  be  crazy  to  dance. 
To  be  vigorous  and  healthy. 
There  is  a  time  to  jest,  and  a  time 
when  jests  are  unseasonable. 

Do  not  jest  with  fools. 

It  is  very  easy  to  do  what  we  like. 

If  you  allow  a  foolish  person  to  take 
liberties  in  private,  he  will  take 
the  same  in  public. 

Be  sensible  in  your  treatment  of 
women  and  money. 

We  have  accomplished  two  leagues 
very  pleasantly. 

He  obtained  his  office  by  his  geni- 
ality. 

To  take  the  caliber  of  a  gun. 

To  grope. 

To  seek  devious  means. 

To  hunt  hither  and  yon. 

Like  seeks  like. 

He  who  seeks,  finds. 

To  seek  a  quarrel. 

To  seek  occasion  for  quarrel. 

To  seek  frivolous  excuses  for  quar- 
relling. 

To  irritate  one. 

Do  not  inquire  into  a  good  man's 
pedigree. 

To  foment  disputes  and  disturbances. 

He  seeks  for  death,  since  he  cannot 
triumph. 

To  earn  one's  own  living. 

The  avaricious  waste  life  in  striving 
for  riches  when  they  might  enjoy 
comfort  in  comuetence. 


SPAX/SJf  IDIOMS. 


31 


Á  son  de  parientes,  busca  (jue  meri- 
endes. 
Buscar  pan  de  trastrigo.^ 

El  pez  que  busca  el  anzuelo,  busca 

su  duelo. 
Cabalgar  á  la  gineta. 
¡  Todo  cabe  ! 
¡  Es  cuanto  cabe  ! 
Todo  cabe  en  fulano. 
No  caber  de  pies. 
No  caber  mas. 
No  caber  de  contento,  ó  de  gozo. 

No  caber  el  corazón  en  el  pecho. 

No  caber  en  el  mundo. 

No  caber  duda. 

Honra  y  provecho  no  caben  en  un 

saco. 
No  caber  en  sí. 
Á  mi  me  cupo  en  suerte  venir  á  la 

América. 
Hueso  que  te  cupo  en  parte  róele 

con  sutil  arte. 
No  cabe  mas. 
En  casa  del  bueno,  el  ruin  cabe  al 

fuego. 
No  caber  en  toda  la  casa. 

Cabe  de  pala. 

No  caber  en  el  pellejo. 

Caer  bien  alguna  cosa. 

Caer  en  gusto. 

Caer  de  su  asno,  de  su  burra. 

Caer  en  la  cuenta. 


Do  not  idle  your  time  away  in  ex- 
pectation of  help  from  others. 

To  look  for  better  bread  than  ever 
came  of  wheat. 

The  fish  that  dallies  with  the  hook 
does  so  to  his  sorrow. 

To  ride  with  very  short  stirrups. 

It  is  quite  possible  ! 

It  is  quite  too  much  ! 

He  is  capable  of  anything. 

To  have  no  room  to  stand. 

The  place  is  full. 

To  be  very  much  pleased ;  very 
happy ;   overjoyed. 

To  be  very  much  agitateti,  with  sor- 
row or  anger. 

To  be  inflated  with  pride. 

No  doubt  can  exist. 

Honor  and  riches  are  seldom  found 
united. 

He  cannot  contain  himself. 

It  was  my  lot  to  come  to  America. 

Bear  undeserved  ills  patiently,  and 

strive  to  conquer  them. 
There  is  nothing  more  to  be  desired. 
By  the  fireside  of  the  benevolent  man 

the  humblest  may  find  warmth. 
To  quarrel  with  those  who  live  in 

the  same  house  with  us. 
An  unexpected  opportunity. 
To  be  very  fat. 
To  fit ;  to  be  becoming. 
To  become  a  favorite. 
To  own  one's  error. 
To  see  the  point  ;    to  correct  one's 

habits. 


1  "  Trastrigo  is  an  obscure  word,  but  the  application  is  unquestionably  to  seeking  things 
out  of  season,  or  out  of  reason."  —  Don  Quixote,  translated  by  John  Ormsby.  London, 
1885,  vol.  4,  p.  386. 


32 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Ya  caigo  en  ello,  ó  en  la  cuenta. 
Caer  de  su  borrico. 
Caer  de  pies. 
Caer  de  espaldas. 
Caer  de  su  estado. 

Caer  de  golpe. 

Caer  á  plomo. 

Caer  bien  á  caballo. 

Caer  á  esta  parte. 

No  caer  en  la  cosa. 

Caerse  de  sueño. 

Las  ventanas  caen  al  rio. 

Caérsele  á  uno  la  cara  de  vergüenza. 

El  plazo  cae. 

Su  pagaré  cae  en  el  mes  que  viene. 

Con  las  orejas  caldas. 

Caer  en  falta. 

Caer  en  culpa. 

Caerle  á  uno  en  suerte. 

El  castillo  cayó. 

Al  caer  de  la  hoja. 

Caer  el  sol,  ó  el  dia. 

Caerse,  ó  asarse  los  pájaros. 

El  sol  se  deja  caer. 

Caerse  las  tejas. 

Pájaro  viejo  no  cae  en  el  lazo. 

La  pascua  cae  en  Abril. 

Caer  en  gracia. 

Caer  de  la  gracia  de  alguno  ;  ó  caer 

en  desgracia. 
Caer  en  flor. 

Caer  en  la  flor,  ó  descornar  la  flor. 
Caerse  de  inanición. 
Caerse  á  pedazos. 
Le  ha  caido  la  lotería. 
Caérsele  el  moco  á  alguno ;    ó  no 

sabe  quitarse  los  mocos. 
Caer  en  el  mes  del  obispo. 
Caerse  de  ánimo. 
Caérsele  á  uno  las  alas  del  corazón. 


I  see  ;  I  understand. 

To  dismount  from  one's  hobby. 

To  fall  on  one's  feet ;  to  succeed. 

To  fall  backward. 

To  fall  senseless  ;    or  to  lose  one's 

position. 
To  fall  suddenly. 
To  fall  down  flat. 
To  sit  a  horse  well. 
To  be  situated  on  this  side. 
Not  to  comprehend  a  thing. 
To  feel  very  sleepy. 
The  windows  overlook  the  river. 
To  blush  with  shame. 
The  bill  falls  due. 
Your  note  falls  due  next  month. 
Disappointed. 

To  fail  in  one's  engagement. 
To  commit  a  fault. 
To  fall  to  one's  lot. 
The  fortress  surrendered. 
At  the  close  of  the  year ;  autumn. 
The  sun,  or  the  day,  declines. 
To  be  intolerably  hot. 
The  heat  lessens. 
To  be  growing  dark. 
Old  birds  are  not  caught  with  chaff. 
Easter  falls  in  April. 
To  please  ;  to  become  a  favorite. 
To  fall  in  the  estimation  of  any  one. 

To  die  prematurely. 
To  detect  a  fraud  in  gambling. 
To  break  down  through  weakness. 
To  walk  with  a  shambling  gait. 
He  has  won  a  prize  in  the  lottery. 
To  be  a  booby  ;  a  fool. 

To  arrive  in  time  for  a  succession. 

To  be  dejected. 

To  be  disappointed  ;  discouraged. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


33 


Caer  en  color. 

El  que   hoy  cae,   puede   levantarse 

mañana. 
Caer  en  mal  caso. 
Caerse  de  suyo. 
Caer  en  las  mientes. 
Caer  en  el  chiste. 
Caer  en  cama. 
Caer  debajo  del  número. 
No  caérsele  á  uno  alguna  cosa  de  la 

boca. 
Caer  ó  morir  como  chinches. 
En  el  mejor  paño  cae  una  mancha. 

Caerse  la  sopa  en  la  miel. 

Caérsele  á  uno  la  casa  á  cuestas. 

Potros  cayendo  y  mozos  perdiendo, 
van  asesando. 

Todo  da,  ó  cae  en  el  dedo  malo. 

En  árbol  caido  todas  se  suben  á  las 
ramas. 

Del  árbol  caido  todos  hacen  leña  ;  ó 
del  árbol  caido  todos  sacan  astillas. 

Caer  de  nota. 

Á  soplos  de  la  malignidad,  cayó  su 
fortuna. 

Caer  en  el  anzuelo,  ó  tragar  el  an- 
zuelo. 

Caer  en  el  garlito,  ó  en  la  celada. 

Caer  en  la  ratonera,  ó  en  la  trampa. 

Caer  en  el  señuelo,  en  el  lazo. 

Caer  en  las  garras  de  alguno. 

Caer  en  alguna  cosa. 

Caerse  una  cosa  de  la  memoria. 

Calar  la  cuerda. 

Calar  el  can  de  un  arma  de  fuego. 

Calar  la  bayoneta. 

Calar  las  picas. 

Calar  el  puente. 


Tü  fade. 

He   who    falls   to-day   may   rise   to- 
morrow. 
To  fall  into  bad  repute. 
To  fall  of  itself. 

To  guess  ;  to  imagine  something. 
To  guess  rightly. 
To  become  ill. 

To  become  one  of  a  number. 
To  repeat  a  thing  continually. 

To  die  off  in  great  numbers. 

There  is  nothing  free  from  imper- 
fections. 

This  has  succeeded  beyond  all  ex- 
pectation. 

To  suffer  a  great  calamity. 

Misfortunes  and  hardships  strengthen 
the  character. 

Everything  fells  on  the  tender  spot. 

Overthrown  pride  only  inspires  con- 
tempt. 

When  the  tree  has  fallen,  it  is  used 
for  firewood,  and  even  for  chips. 

To  give  cause  for  scandal. 

His  fortune  fell  before  the  breath  of 
malignity. 

To  be  deceived  ;  to  fall  into  a  snare. 

To  fall  into  a  trap. 

To  fall  into  a  trap. 

To  fall  into  a  snare. 

To  fall  into  the  clutches  of  a  person. 

To  remember  to  find  out  about  a 

thing. 
To  forget. 

To  apply  a  match  to  a  firearm. 
To  cock  a  gun. 
To  fix  the  bayonet. 
To  set  the  lance  in  rest ;  to  poise. 
To  lower  a  drawbridge. 


34 


SPAÁVSH  IDIOMS. 


Calar  las  cubas. 

Calar  el  melón,  ó  la  sandía. 

Calar  los  pensamientos  á  alguno. 

Calar  la  visera. 

Calar  el  sombrero  en  la  cabeza. 

Calarse  el  halcón  sobre  las  aves. 

Calar  ó  tender  las  redes. 

Calar  el  morro. 

Calar  la  sopa. 

Calar  el  timón. 

Calar  tantos  pies. 

Calar  el  palo  de  un  navio. 
Calentar  alguno  el  asiento,  ó  la  silla. 

Calentársele  á  uno  la  boca. 

Calentar  á  alguno  las  orejas. 

Calentarse  el  horno. 

No  calentar  el  asiento. 

Calle   el  que    dio,    y  hable    el  que 

tomó. 
En  tiempo  de  guerra  ceden  y  callan 

leyes  y  audiencias. 
Callar  su  pico. 
¡  Calle  ! 

¡  Cortapicos  y  callares  ! 
Callen  barbas,  y  hablen  cartas. 

Quien  calla,  piedras  apaña. 

Callar  y  obrar  por  la  tierra,  y  por  la 

mar. 
Callarse,    calíate    y    callemos,    que 

sendas  nos  tenemos. 
Quien  calla,  otorga. 


To  gauge  a  barrel  or  cask. 

To  try  the  ripeness  of  a  melon  by 
tapping. 

To    guess    at    another     person'^; 
thoughts. 

To  close  the  visor  of  a  helmet. 

To  slouch  the  hat. 

To  pounce  upon  game. 

To  spread  nets  for  fish. 

To  bow  the  head  in  anger  or  sadness. 

To  dip  bread  in  broth. 

To  hang  the  rudder  (nau.). 

To    draw   so    many    feet    of  water 
(nau.). 

To  step  a  mast  (nau.). 

To  become  tiresome  by  making  too 
long  a  visit. 

To  speak  incoherently  from  exces- 
sive excitement. 

To  chide  or  reprove   a  person   se- 
verely. 

To   grow  warm    in   conversation   or 
argument. 

To  retain  an  office  but  for  a  short 
time. 

Let  the  giver  be  silent ;  the  receiver, 
loud  with  gratitude. 

In  time  of  war,  laws  lose  their  power. 

To  hold  one's  tongue. 

You  don't  say  so  ! 

Silence  !  be  quiet  !  (said  to  children). 

Documentary  evidence  is  better  than 

bare  assertion. 
He  who  listens  carefully  may  use  or 

repeat  what  he  has  heard. 
To  be  silent  and  active  in  business. 

He  who  lives  in  a  glass  house  should 

not  throw  stones. 
Silence  gives  consent. 


sp.LV/s//  /n/o.i/s. 


35 


Otorgar  de  cabeza. 

La  mujer  y  la  pera,  la  que  calla  es 

buena. 
Calzarse  á  alguno. 
Calzárselas  al  revés. 

Calzar  ancha. 

Calzar  espuelas  al  enemigo. 

Calzarse  un  empleo. 
Calzar  las  herramientas. 
Calzarse  los  guantes,  ó  las  espuelas. 
Calzar  un  coche. 

Calzar  los  árboles. 

Calzar  las  mesas. 
Calzar  tantos  puntos. 
Calzarse  los  estribos. 

El  cañón  calza  bala  de  á  cuatro. 

Calzar  pocos,  ó  muchos  puntos. 
Calzar  el  coturno. 

Calzar  el  ancla. 

Las  circunstancias  cambian  los  casos. 

Cambiar  de  mano. 

Cambiar  ó  feriar  una  cosa,  taz  por 

taz. 
Cambiar  el  seso. 
Cambiar  la  comida,  la  peseta. 
Cambiar  las  velas. 
Caminar  derecho. 
Caminar  de  buena  fé. 
Caminar  sobre  un  supuesto  falso. 
Caminó  seis  leguas  de  una  tirada. 

Caminar  por  sus  jornadas. 
Caminar  con  pies  de  plomo. 


To  nod  assent. 

Silence  is  very  desirable  in  a  woman. 

To  govern  or  manage  a  person. 

To  do  just  the  contrary  of  what  one 

should  do. 
Not  to  be  very  nice  or  scrupulous. 
To  pursue  the  enemy  with  the  utmost 

vigor. 
To  get  an  employment. 
To  put  a  steel  edge  on  iron  tools. 
To  put  on  gloves,  or  spurs. 
To  put  a  brake  on  the  wheels  of  a 

coach. 
To  cover  the  roots  of  the  trees  with 

earth. 
To  secure  tables  in  a  fixed  position. 
To  wear  shoes  of  a  certain  size. 
To  thrust  the  feet  too  far  into  the 

stirrups. 
The    cannon    carries    a    four-pound 

shot. 
To  have  little  or  much  capacity. 
To  make  use  of  pompous  language 

in  poetry ;  to  write  a  tragedy. 
To  shoe  the  anchor  (nau.). 
Circumstances  alter  cases. 
To   change   from    one    side    to    the 

other. 
To  barter  evenly  ;    to  give  (/ui'i/  pro 

quo. 
To  lose  one's  senses. 
To  be  sick  ;  seasick. 
To  shift  the  sails  (nau.). 
To  act  uprightly. 
To  proceed  with  rectitude. 
To  act  upon  erroneous  data. 
He    travelled    si.x    leagues    at    one 

stretch. 
To  proceed  carefully  ;  judiciously. 
To    act    with    prudence    and    fore- 
thought. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Caminar  á  la  zapa. 

Campar  con  su  estrella. 
Campar  por  su  respeto. 

Campear  de  sol  á  sombra. 

El  abad  de  lo  que  canta,  yanta. 

Como  canta  el  abad,    responde   el 

sacristan. 
Cantar  de  plano. 
Quien  canta,  sus  males  espanta. 

¿  Lo  digo  cantado  ó  rezado  ? 
Cantar  la  chicharra. 

Pájaro  que  sabe  cantar,  y  no  quiere 
cantar,  es  menester  hacerle  cantar. 

Al  fin  se  canta  la  gloria. 

Lo  que  ha  de  cantar  el  buey,  ó  el 
carro,  canta  la  carreta. 

Cantar  misa. 

Cantar  á  libro  abierto. 

Cantar  á  la  almohadilla. 

Cantar  ó  pintar  con  primor. 

Ella  cantó  prodigiosamente,  como 
un  ángel. 

Cantar  mal  y  porfiar. 

Cada  gallo  canta  en  su  muladar. 

Otro  gallo  me  cantará. 

Al  gallo  que  canta,  le  aprietan  la 

garganta. 
Cantarle,  ó  leerle,  á  uno  la  cartilla. 
Si  bien  canta  el  abad,  no  le  va  en 

zaga  el  monacillo. 
Un  ánima  sola,  ni  canta,  ni  llora. 
Los  dineros  del  sacristan,  cantando 

se  vienen,  y  cantando  se  van. 


To  advance  by  sapping  and  mining 
^  (mil.). 

To  be  fortunate,  or  successful. 

To  act  independently,  without  as- 
sistance. 

To  work  in  the  field  from  morning 
to  night ;  to  excel. 

The  priest  who  serves  the  altar  mus' 
thereby  earn  his  bread. 

The  sexton  echoes  the  abbot  (like 
master  like  man) . 

To  make  a  full  confession. 

A    cheerful    spirit    lessens    many 
troubles. 

How  would  you  have  me  say  it  ? 

To  be  scorching  hot  (the  locust 
sings). 

A  bird  that  can  sing  and  wont  sing, 
must  be  made  to  sing. 

Do  not  triumph  till  all  is  over. 

The  transgressor  is  the  first  to  com- 
plain. 

To  say  mass. 

To  sing  at  sight. 

To  sing  without  accompaniment. 

To  sing  or  paint  exquisitely. 

She  sang  charmingly,  like  an  angel. 

To  chatter  nonsense. 

Every  cock  crows  on  his  own  dung- 
hill. 

Under  different  circumstances  one 
would  fare  better. 

Strangle  the  cock  that  crows  (warn- 
ing to  keep  a  secret] . 

To  reprimand  severely. 

If  the  abbot  sings  well,  the  acolyte 
is  not  much  behind  him. 

Combined  effort  accomplishes  much. 

Easy  come,  easy  go. 


SPAÁ7S/I  IDIOMS. 


37 


Ya  no  queda  mas  que  coser  y  cantar. 

El  carro  canta. 

Cantar  la  sorna. 

Cepillar  la  corteza. 

Como  el  gallo  de  moron,  cacareando 

y  sin  pluma. 
Cacarear,  y  no  poner  huevo. 
Cardarle  á  alguno  la  lana. 
Cardarle  á  uno  la  lana. 
Carearse  de  hambre. 
La  necesidad  carece  de  ley. 
Cargarse  de  razón. 
Cargar  el  juicio. 
Cargar  la  mano. 

Burro  cargado  de  letras. 

Cargar  á  flete. 
Cargar  sobre  uno. 
Cargarle  á  uno  las  cabras. 

Cargársele  á  uno  la  cabeza. 

Cargar  la  conciencia. 

A  la  bestia  cargada,  el   sobornal   le 

mata. 
Cargar  á  alguna  parte. 
Cargar  de  leña  á  alguno. 
Cargar  los  dados. 
Cargar  arriba  una  vela. 
¿  Por  qué  carga  de  agua  ? 
Carga  el  viento. 
Antes    que    te   cases,    mira   lo  que 

haces. 
Por   codicia   de   florin,  no  te   cases 

con  ruin. 
Para    mal    casar,    mas    vale    nunca 

maridar. 
Casarás  y  amansarás. 

Quien  lejos  va  á  casar,  ó  va  enga- 
ñado, ó  va  á  engañar. 


What  remains  to  be  done  is  a  trifle. 

The  wheel  creaks. 

To  lead  a  free  and  licentious  life. 

To  polish  the  manners. 

Like  the  defeated  cock,  that  has  lost 
feathers  but  not  conceit. 

To  promise  much  and  give  nothing. 

To  reprimand  severely. 

To  win  a  large  sum  at  play. 

To  be  very  hungry. 

Necessity  knows  no  law. 

To  proceed  deliberately,  carefully. 

To  reflect  attentively. 

To  pursue  a  thing  eagerly,  or  immod- 
erately. 

One  who  has  studied  much,  to  little 
purpose. 

To  ship  goods  as  freight. 

To  importune  ;    to  tease. 

To  blame  a  person  unjustly ;  to 
make  him  a  scapegoat. 

To  feel  drowsy,  sleepy. 

To  burden  one's  conscience  with  sin. 

The  last  straw  breaks  the  camel's 
back. 

To  go  to  a  certain  place. 

To  beat  a  person  with  a  stick. 

To  load  dice. 

To  clew  up  a  sail  (nau.). 

Why?  what  is  the  matter? 

The  wind  increases. 

Look  before  you  leap. 

Never  marry  a  villain  for  his  money. 

Better  never  marry  than  marry  un- 
wisely. 

Marry,  and  take  the  cares  and  respon- 
sibilities of  home. 

Thorough  acquaintance  before  mar- 
riage is  important. 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


El  dia  que  te  cases,  ó  te  sanas  ó  te 

matas. 
Ruin   con   ruin,   que  asi   casan   en 

Dueñas. 
Cascar  las  liendres. 
Cascar  á  uno  las  liendres. 
Castigar  en  la  bolsa. 
Dueña  culpada,  mal  castigada  mal- 

lada. 
Cátalos  aqui  sin  padre. 

A  buey  viejo  no  le  cates  majada,  que 

el  se  la  cata ;  ó  á  buey  viejo  no  le 

cates  abrigo. 
Catarse  vergüenza. 
Cuando  no  se  cata  ;  ó  cuando  menos 

se  cata. 
La  mujer  y  la  cibera  no  la  cates  á  la 

candela. 
Barba  á  barba,  vergüenza  se  cata. 

La  gotera  cava  la  piedra. 

A   las   veces,    do    cazar   pensamos, 

cazados  quedamos. 
Cebar  un  anzuelo. 
Ceder  al  torrente. 
Cegar  una  via  de  agua. 
Celebrar  el  cumpleaños. 
Cenar  á  oscuras. 
Ceñir  espada. 
Ceñir  la  plaza. 

Cercar  á  trabajo  ;  ó  cercar  á  uno. 
Cerner,  cerner  y  sacar  poca  harina. 
Cerrar  la  boca  á  alguno. 
En  boca  cerrada  no  entran  moscas. 
A  carga  cerrada. 
A  puerta  cerrada,  el  diablo  se  vuelve. 

Cerrar  los  ojos. 

Cerrar  los  ojos  á  alguno. 

A  ojos  cerrados. 


The  marriage  day  is  fraught  with 
future  happiness  or  misery. 

Marriage  must  be  between  equals  in 
order  to  be  happy. 

To  strike  one  on  the  head. 

To  give  one  a  severe  drubbing. 

To  impose  a  fine. 

Those  who  live  in  glass  houses  should 
not  throw  stones. 

Consider  that  they  are  orphans  (chil- 
dren need  a  parent's  care). 

Do  not  try  to  teach  those  who  are 
wiser  than  yourself. 

To  respect  another. 

When  one  thinks  least  of  it. 

In  choosing  your  wife  or  your  grain, 
be  careful. 

Those  who  are  present  receive  more 
respect  than  those  who  are  absent. 

Constant  dropping  wears  away  stone. 

Sometimes  the  biter  is  bit,  the  de- 
ceiver deceived. 

To  bait  a  fish-hook.    . 

To  be  carried  away  by  public  opinion. 

To  stop  a  leak  (nau.). 

To  keep  the  birthday. 

To  be  miserly. 

To  wear  a  sword. 

To  besiege  a  city. 

To  heap  misfortunes  upon  a  person. 

To  make  great  efforts  to  attain  trifles. 

To  silence  a  person. 

A  wise  head  keeps  a  close  mouth. 

Without  prudent  reflection. 

The  devil  turns  away  from  a  closed 
door. 

To  close  one's  eyes  in  death. 

To  attend  at  a  death. 

Without  hesitation  ;  at  all  events. 


SFAA'/SN  IDIOMS. 


39 


Cuando  una  puerta  se  cierra,  ciento 

se  abren. 
Cerrar  la  puerta. 
Cerrarse  todas  las  puertas. 
Cerrar  en  falso  la  ¡nierta. 
Cerrarse  las  velaciones. 


Cerrarse  de  campiña. 
Cerrado  como  pié  de  mulo. 
Cerrado  de  mollera. 
Cerrar  la  mollera. 
Cerrarse  en  falso. 

Cerrarse  el  cielo. 
Cerrar  el  dia. 
A  puño  cerrado. 
Cerrar  la  mano. 
Cerrar  la  procesión. 
Chantarle  á  uno  alguna  cosa. 
Le  chupan  todo  cuanto  tiene. 
Chupar,  ó  sacar,  los  tuétanos   á  al- 
guno. 

Chupar  la  sangre  de  alguno. 

Chuparse  los  dedos. 

La  tierra  clama  por  agua. 

Clarearse  de  hambre. 

Me  la  claven  en  la  frente. 

Clavar  un  clavo  con  la  cabeza. 

Clavar  á  uno  en  el  corazón  alguna 
cosa. 

Piedra  movediza  nunca  moho  cobija. 

Cobrar,  ó  crecer,  corazón. 

Cobrar  ánimo,  valor,  espíritu. 

Cobra  buena  fama,  y  échate  á  dor- 
mir. 

El  enfermo  cobra  fuerzas. 


When  one  door  is  shut,  others  may 

open.     Do  not  despair. 
To  refuse  to  grant  a  thing. 
To  lose  all  hopes  of  success. 
To  leave  the  door  insecurely  fastened. 
To  forbid  the  issue  of  marriage  li- 
censes during  certain  seasons  (by 

the  church). 
To  adhere  obstinately  to  an  opinion. 
An  obstinate  or  stubborn  jjerson. 
Rude  ;  ignorant. 
To  begin  to  acquire  sense. 
'ib  be  imperfectly  healed  (said  of  a 

wound). 
The  clouds  gather  densely.  . 
To  grow  dark. 
With  might  and  main. 
To  be  a  miser  ;  close-fisted. 
To  bring  up  the  rear  of  a  procession. 
To  brave  a  person  to  his  face. 
They  drain  him  of  all  he  has. 
To  extort  money  from  a  person  ;  to 

extract  the  very  marrow  from  his 

bones. 
To    suck    one's     blood     (to     ruin 

treacherously) . 
To  feel  great  delight  in  eating,  or 

in  saying  or  hearing  a  thing. 
The  ground  wants  water. 
To  be  very  hungry. 
I  do  not  believe  it. 
To  be  very  stubborn. 
To  cause  great  sorrow  or  pain. 

A  rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss. 

To  gather  courage. 

To  muster  up  one's  courage. 

Gain  a  good  name  and  go  to  sleep 

upon  it ;    or.  a  good  name  once 

acquired  is  easily  kept. 
The  in\-alid  improves. 


40 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Cobrar  carnes. 

Cobrar  el  socaire. 

En  cada  casa  cuecen  habas,  y  en  la 

nuestra  á  calderadas. 
Quien  cuece  y  amasa,  de  todo  pasa. 
Lo  que  no  has   de    comer,    déjalo 

cocer. 
No  cocérsele  á  uno  el  pan. 
No  cocérsele  á  uno  el  l)ollo,  ó  el  pan. 

No  se  cogen  truchas  á  bragas  enjutas. 
Coger  á  uno  en  mal  latin. 

La  tempestad,  ó  la  noche,  me  cogió. 

Cogí,  y  me  acostí. 

Coger  en  cierne. 

Coger  á  deseo. 

Coger  la  ronda. 

Coger  á  uno  con  el  hurto   en  las 

manos. 
Coger  en  mentira. 
Mas  presto  se  coge  al  mentiroso  que 

al  cojo. 
Coger  á  uno  en  la  trampa. 
Coger  la  ronda  á  alguno. 
Coger  por  seca  á  alguno. 
Coger  á  uno  de  mano  á  boca,  ó  con 

las  manos  en  la  masa. 
Coger  en  la  loseta  ó  losilla. 
Coger  ó  tomar  su  hatillo. 
Coger  la  delantera. 
Coger  la  puerta. 
Coger  las  de  Villadiego. 
Cogió  la  alfombra  toda  la  sala. 
Tu  que  coges  el  berro,  guárdate  del 

anapelo. 

Coger  la  calle. 

Coger  las  calles. 

Coger  ó  hablar  á  alguno  de  vena. 


To  become  fat. 

To  take  in  the  slack  of  a  rope  (nau.) . 

In  other  houses  they  cook  beans,  but 
in  mine  it  is  by  the  potful. 

All  vocations  have  their  drawbacks. 

Do  not  meddle  in  other  people's 
business. 

To  be  anxious  to  know  something. 

Not  to  rest  till  one's  curiosity  is  sat- 
isfied. 

No  gains  without  pains. 

To  detect  one  in  a  mistake,  particu- 
larly of  language. 

The  storm,  or  the  night,  overtook 
me. 

I  went  to  bed. 

To  gather  out  of  season. 

To  obtain  one's  wishes. 

To  catch  the  offender  in  the  act. 

To  detect  a  person  doing  what  he 
wishes  to  keep  secret. 

To  detect  one  in  lying. 

It  is  easier  to  catch  a  liar  than  a 
cripple. 

To  detect  a  person  in  wrong-doing. 

To  detect  in  a  crime. 

To  detect  a  person  in  a  fault. 

To  take  one  by  surprise. 

To  deceive  one  cunningly. 

To  go  away ;  to  leave  a  place. 

To  get  the  start  of  a  person. 

To  go  away. 

To  run  away. 

The  x;arpet  covered  the  whole  room. 

When  gathering  cresses,  beware  of 

wolfsbane    (always    be    on    your 

guard  against  danger). 
To  fly  ;  to  escape. 
To  obstruct  the  streets. 
To  find  one  in  a  favorable  mood. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


41 


Procuré  cogerle  de  buen  humor. 

Me  cogió  descuidado. 

Esta  camera  coge  mucho  trigo. 

Coger  en  medio. 

Aqui  te  cojo,  y  aqui  te  mato. 

Cogerle  á  uno  el  carro. 

Coger  una  liebre. 

El  cogió  un  lobo. 

Coger  laureles. 

Coger  los  pasos. 

Coger  á  uno  el  paso. 

Coger  á  uno  las  sobaqueras. 
Coger  con  palabras. 

Coger  las  palabras. 
Coger  á  uno  la  palabra. 

Coger  agua  en  cesto,  ó  en  harnero. 

Del  agua  vertida,  alg-ana  cogida. 
Agua   coge    con    harnero    quien    se 
cree  de  ligero. 

Coger  ó  pescar  el  bulto. 
Coger  al  vuelo. 

Cogerlas  al  vuelo. 
Coger  ó  tomar  vuelo. 
Coger  rizos. 
Colgar  los  hábitos. 

Colgar  á  uno. 


Obra  comenzada,  no  te  la  vea  sue- 
gra ni  cuñada. 
Comerse  las  palabras. 
Comer  y  tragar  con  la  vista. 


I  tried    to    see   him  when    in  good 

humor. 
He  took  me  unawares. 
This  granary  holds  much  wheat. 
To    ]jlace    things    on    each   side    of 

another. 
To  act  quickly. 
To  be  unlucky. 
To  fall  into  the  mud  or  mire. 
He  was  tipsy. 
To  win  victories. 
To  take  precautions. 
To  stop  a  person  in  order  to  speak 

to  him. 
To  gain  ascendency  over  a  person. 
To  win  affection  or  favor  by  flatter}- 

or  false  promises. 
To  listen  with  careful  attention. 
To  compel  a  promise  and  its  fulfil- 
ment. 
To   gather  water   in   a  basket  or   a 

sieve  ;  to  labor  in  vain. 
Half  a  loaf  is  better  than  no  bread. 
It  may  seem  easy  to  gather  water 

with    a    sieve    (reproach    to    cre- 

duhty). 
To  lay  hold  of  a  person. 
To  catch  on  the  wing  ;  to  succeed 

by  accident. 
To  be  very  clever  and  skilful. 
To  increase. 
To  take  in  reefs  (nau.). 
To  doff  the  cassock   (to  leave  the 

priesthood). 
To    compliment    a    person    on    his 

birthday    by    hanging    something 

about  his  neck. 
If  you  would  accomi)lish  your  plans, 

pursue  them  quietly. 
To  enunciate  badly,  indistinctly. 
To  have  a  fierce  and  terrible  aspect. 


42 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Comerse  unos  á  otros. 

Comerse  á  uno  con  los  ojos. 

Me  lo  comeré,  me  lo  comería,  ó 
quisiera  comérmele  á  bocados. 

Como  el  perro  de  hortelano,  ni  come, 
ni  dejar  comer. 

Fulano  se  come  tres  mil  pesos  de 
renta. 

El  comer  y  el  rascar,  todo  es  empe- 
zar. 

Quien  come  y  condensa,  dos  veces 
pone  la  mesa. 

Asno  de  muchos,  lobos  le  comen. 


Cojear  del  mismo  pié. 

Saber  de  que  pié  cojea. 
Comerse  de  polilla. 

Comer  pan  con  corteza. 
Con  su  pan  se  lo  coma. 
El  que  solo  se  come  su  gallo,  solo 

ensilla  su  caballo. 
Comerse  una  dama  ó  peón. 
Comerse  tras  el  juego. 
Comerse  tras  la  caza. 
O  perdiz,  ó  no  comerla. 
Comer  á  dos  carrillos. 

Sin  comerlo  ni  beberlo. 
El  orin  come  el  hierro. 
El  agua  come  las  piedras. 
Comerse  de  piojos, 
j  Al  pobre  el  sol  se  lo  come  ! 
Quien  come  la  vaca  del  rey,  á  cien 
años  paga  los  huesos. 

Ave  de  cuchar,  mas  come  que  val  ;  ó 
ave  de  cuchar  nunca  en  mi  corral. 


To  be  at  daggers  drawn. 
To  look  daggers  at  any  one. 
To  be  in  a  fit  of  rage  against  a  per- 
son. 
Like  the  dog  in  the  manger. 

He  has,  or  spends,  three  thousand 

dollars  income. 
To  encourage  one  to  do  that  which 

he  dishkes. 
A  penny  saved  is  a  penny  gained  ; 

he  who  eats   and  saves,  sets  the 

table  twice. 
The  ass  of  many  owners  is  food  for 

the  wolves  ;    or  everybody's  busi- 
ness is  nobody's  business. 
To  halt  on  the  same  foot  (to  have 

the  same  defect  or  fault). 
To  know  a  person's  weak  side. 
To  be  insensibly  wasting  property  or 

health. 
To  be  independent. 
That  is  his  own  affair. 
He  who   is   selfish  in  his  pleasures 

must  not  expect  help  in  his  need. 
To  take  a  queen  or  pawn  at  chess. 
To  gamble  very  eagerly. 
To  hunt  very  eagerly. 
Neck  or  nothing. 
To  enjoy  two  offices  or  benefices  at 

the  same  time. 
To  suffer  undeservedly. 
Rust  corrodes  iron. 
Water  disintegrates  stones. 
To  be  swarming  with  vermin. 
Nobody  cares  for  the  poor. 
He  who  steals  from  a  powerful  man 

will   suffer   in   the  end,  though  a 

hundred  years  pass  first. 
Fowls  with  fiat  beaks  (ducks,  etc.) 

are  unprofitable. 


SPAiVISJ/  IDIOMS. 


43 


Comer  arena,  antes  (¡ue  hacer  vileza. 

Gente  loca,  coméis  de  mi  rabo  y  no 
de  mi  boca. 

Dios  no  come,  ni  bebe,  mas  juzga  lo 
que  ve. 

Quien  se  pica,  ajos  come,  ó  ha  co- 
mido. 

Administradorcillos.  comer  en  plata, 

y  morir  en  grillos. 
Calentura  de  pollo  por  comer  gallina. 

Aldeana  es  la  gallina,  y  cómela  el  de 

Sevilla. 
En  casa  del  abad  comer  y  llevar. 

Al  cabo  del  año  mas  come  el  muerto 
que  el  sano. 

Allá  vaya  el  mal  do  comen  el  huevo 
sin  sal. 

Abad  de  Zarzuela,  comisteis  la  olla, 
pedis  la  cazuela. 

De  la  olla  que  no  has  de  comer,  dé- 
jala bien  cocer. 

Comerse  de  risa. 

Olla  reposada,  no  la  come  toda 
barba. 

Comer  los  piñones. 

Comer  de  mogollón. 

Comerse  las  manos  tras  alguna  cosa. 

¿  En    que    bodegón    hemos   comido 

juntos  ? 
Comerse  las  manos. 
Aun  ahora  se   come   el  pan  de  la 

boda. 
Comer  como   un  sabañón,  ó  como 

dogos. 
No  comer  el  pan  de  balde. 
Uno    come   la   fruta    aceda,   y   otro 

tiene  la  dentera. 


To  starve  rather  than  commit  a  crime. 
]]ackbiters. 

Cod  sees  all,  and  will  judge  us  by 

our  acts. 
Those  who  take  offence  at  a  general 

remark   show  a  suspicious  sensi- 
tiveness. 
Trustees  who   eat  off  plate,  die   in 

fetters. 
Illness    feigned   in   order   to   avoid 

work  or  excite  sympathy. 
Those  of  humble  or  modest  origin 

are  not,  therefore,  to  be  despised. 
In  an  abbot's  house  is  enough  and  to 

spare. 
Much    money  is    spent    for    masses 

during  the  first  year  after  a  death. 
\Ve  must  not  wish  evil  to  any  one. 

Be  grateful  for  the  comforts  of  life, 

without  craving  its  luxuries. 
If  you  are  not  to  eat  the  stew,  don't 

mind  how  it  is  cooked. 
To  be  very  much  inclined  to  laugh. 
Too  many  occupations    leave    little 

time  for  rest  or  comfort. 
To  celebrate  Christmas  Eve. 
To  live  at  other  people's  expense. 
To  eat  with  so  much  appetite  as  to 

clear  the  platter. 
Where  have  we  eaten  together?  (a 

rebuke  for  undue  familiarity) . 
To  become  furious. 
The  honeymoon  is  not  yet  over. 

To  eat  greedily  ;  to  devour. 

Not  to  eat  the  bread  of  idleness. 
What  is  one  man's  meat  is  another 
man's  poison. 


44 


SPAXÍSH  IDIOMS. 


De   una  asentada  se   comió  medio 

carnero. 
Gran  placer,  no  escotar  y  comer. 

Quien    come  la  carne,   que    roa  el 
hueso. 

El  hombre  mezquino,  después  que 

ha  comido,  ha  frió. 
Comer  con  gana. 
Comer  con  buenos  aceros. 
Comerse  los  codos  de  hambre. 
Comer  una  cosa  en  uno  ó  en  dos 

bocados. 
Trucha  ó  no  comerla  ;  ó  ayunar  ó 

comer  trucha. 
Cometer  un  error  garrafal. 
Mentira  garrafal. 
Cometer  un  exceso. 
Cometer  un  atropello  con  alguno. 

Palo  compuesto  no  parece  palo. 
Componer  el  semblante. 

Esa  copa  de  vino  me  ha  compuesto. 

Componer  tanto  de  renta. 
Manos  y  vida  componen  villa. 

Componer  el  semblante  ó  el  rostro. 

Dios  y  vida  componen  villa. 

Es  mas  barato  lo  comprado  que  lo 

regalado. 
Comprar,  conquistar,  ganar  el  cielo. 
La  mujer  loca  por  la  vista  compra 

la  toca. 
Comprar  las  cosas  sueltas,  ó  á  bulto. 

Comprar  de  primera  mano 


At  one  sitting  they  eat  half  a  sheep. 

It  is  \ery  pleasant  to  eat  and  have 

nothing  to  pay. 
He  who  eats  the  meat  must  gnaw 

the  bone   (equivalent  to  no  rose 

without  a  thorn). 
Food  gives  vigor  to  the  energetic 

man,  but  not  to  the  lazy. 
To  eat  with  an  appetite. 
To  eat  with  a  keen  appetite. 
To  be  starved  with  hunger. 
To  eat  very  fast. 

Either  eat  trout  or  fast ;  the  best  or 
nothing. 

To  commit  an  enormous  blunder. 

A  tremendous  lie. 

To  commit  a  crime. 

To  insult,  or  be  wanting  in  respect 
to  a  person. 

He,  or  it,  is  thoroughly  disguised. 

To  put  on  a  calm  and  sedate  appear- 
ance. 

This  glass  of  wine  has  strengthened 
me. 

To  have  so  much  a  year. 

Patience  and  perseverance  conquer 
difficulties. 

To  show  modesty  or  seriousness  in 
the  face. 

Have  faith  in  God,  but  labor  ear- 
nestly. 

What  is  bought  is  cheaper  than  a 
gift. 

To  gain  heaven  by  good  works. 

Reflect  well  before  beginning  an  en- 
terprise. 

To  buy  goods  in  bulk,  or  at  whole- 
sale. 

To  buy  at  first  hand. 


SPAX/SII  IDIOMS. 


45 


Quien  compra  caballo,  compra  cui- 
dado. 
Comulgar  con  ruedas  de  molino. 

Concurrir  en  un  mismo  voto,  ó  dic- 
tamen. 
Condenar  una  puerta. 
Condenar  á  una  persona  en  costas. 

Confesar  en  el  tormento. 
Confesar  sin  tormento. 

Conocer  de  vista. 
Darse  á  conocer. 

Dar  á  conocer. 

No  se  conoce  el  bien,  hasta  que  se 

pierde. 
El  árbol  se  conoce  por  su  fruta. 
Conocer  de  una  causa,  ó  un  pleito. 

Conocer  el  juego. 

Conocer  alguno  su  pecado. 

Conocer  las  uvas  de  su  viñedo. 

Conocerle  a  uno  alguna  cosa  en  lo 
blanco  de  los  ojos. 

Antes  que  conozcas,  ni  alabes  ni 
cohondas. 

Quien  no  te  conozca,  que  te  compre. 

Conocer  á  uno  desde  su  cuna. 

Conocer  la  edad  per  el  diente. 

No  conocer  la  cara  á  la  necesidad. 

No  conocer  la  cara  al  miedo. 

Por  las  vísperas  se  conocen  los  san- 
tos. 

Consagrar  el  tiempo,  ó  la  vida,  á  una 

profesión  ó  ciencia. 
j  Dios  consiente,  y  no  para  siempre  ! 


He  who  buys  a  horse,  buys  care. 

To  try  to  make  a  person  believe  im- 
probable things. 

To  concur  in  another  person's  ojiin- 
ion. 

To  close  up  a  door  permanently. 

To  sentence  a  person  to  pay  the 
costs  in  a  lawsuit. 

To  confess  for  fear  of  torture. 

To  tell  what  one  knows,  without 
urging. 

To  know  by  sight. 

To  make  one's  self  recognized,  or 
known. 

To  introduce  or  present  people  to 
each  other. 

We  scarcely  know  the  value  of  our 
blessings  until  we  have  lost  them. 

The  tree  is  known  by  its  fruit. 

l"o  try  a  cause  (applied  to  the 
judge). 

To  discover  another's  designs. 

To  confess  his  fault. 

To  know  one's  own. 

To  penetrate  the  intention  of  an- 
other ;  to  read  his  mind. 

Neither  praise  nor  censure  without 
sufficient  knowledge. 

I  know  you  well. 

To  know  a  person  from  his  infancy. 

To  know  a  horse's  age  by  his  teeth. 

Never  to  have  known  povert}-. 

To  know  no  fear. 

Wise  people  judge  of  events  in  con- 
nection with  preceding  circum- 
stances. 

To  devote  one's  self  to  a  profession 
or  science. 

God's  forbearance  will  not  last  for- 
ever. 


46 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Conservar  la  memoria  de  una  cosa. 

Consignar  las  órdenes. 

Constituirse  en  obligación  de  alguna 

cosa. 
Cada  uno  cuenta  de  la  feria  como  le 

va  en  ella. 
Contar  ó  decir  mil  bienes   de   una 

persona. 
Contar  con  la  amistad  de  uno. 
Contar  grandes  paparuchas. 
Contarle  algo  á  alguno. 
Contar  por  hecha  alguna  cosa. 
Contar  con  alguna  persona  para  algo. 

Contarle  los  botones  á  uno. 
Contar  los  bocados  á  uno. 
De  lo  contado  come  el  lobo, 
i  Contárselo  a  su  tia  ! 
Todo  lo  convierte  en  sustancia. 

Coronar  la  fiesta. 

Correr  por  mano  de  uno  alguna  cosa. 

Correr  obligación  á  alguno. 

Correr  la  mano. 

Correr  con  su  mano,  ó  por  su  mano. 

El  que  menos  corre  vuela. 

Correrle  bien  ó  mal  la  suerte  á  uno. 

Correr  el  dado. 

Correr  con  desgracia. 

Corren  noticias  ;  corre  la  fama. 

Corre  la  voz. 

Correr  la  voz. 

Á  todo  correr ;   ó  corran  las  cosas 

como  corrieren. 
La  linea  corre  ... 
Correr  las  lineas. 
Correr  monte. 
Correr  sangre. 
Correr  bien  el  oficio. 


To  remember  anything. 

To  give  a  sentry  his  orders. 

To  bind  one's  self  to  do  something. 

Each  one  speaks  well  or  ill  of  things 

as  they  affect  himself. 
To  praise  a  person  very  highly. 

To  count  upon  one's  friendship. 

To  tell  incredible  tales. 

To  attribute  something  to  another. 

To  take  a  thing  for  granted. 

To  count  upon  a  person's  assistance 
or  sympathy. 

To  be  a  very  skilful  fencer. 

To  watch  a  person  while  eating. 

Nothing  is  perfectly  safe. 

Tell  that  to  the  marines  ! 

He  turns  everything  to  his  own  ad- 
vantage. 

To  complete  anything. 

To  have  a  thing  under  one's  charge. 

To  be  obliged  to  do  something. 

To  move  the  hand  quickly. 

To  do  anything  by  one's  self. 

He  who  is  observant  while  pretend- 
ing indifference. 

To  be  lucky  or  unlucky. 

To  have  good  luck. 

To  be  unlucky,  unfortunate. 

It  is  said  ;  it  is  reported  or  rumored. 

It  is  reported  ;  the  story  goes. 

To  pass  the  word  ;  to  be  divulged. 

Happen  what  may. 

The  boundary  line  passes  .  .  . 
To  review  troops. 
To  hunt  large  game. 
To  shed  blood. 

To  make  the  most  of  a  place  or 
office. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


•il 


Correr  el  oficio. 
Correr  peligro. 
Correr  mal  tiempo. 
A  turbio  correr. 
Correr  las  canales. 

Dejar  correr  algima  cosa. 

Correr  los  negocios. 

Dejarlo  correr  que  ello  parará. 

Correr  parejas. 

Correr  en  una  direción  opuesta. 

Correr  burro  algima  cosa. 

Correr  las  pagas,  el  salario,  el  sueldo. 

Correrse  una  vela. 

Correr  las  lágrimas. 

Corre  la  moneda. 

Correr  el  telón. 

Correr  á  uno. 

Correr  toros. 

Correr  la  tinta. 

Corre  viento  del  norte. 

Correr  los  montes  ó  sierras. 

Correr  monte,  montes,  ó  el  monte. 

El  monte  corre  á  .  .  . 

Correrse. 

Correr  el  tiempo. 

Correr  la  posta,  ó  en  la  posta. 

Correr  el  ganso,  el  gallo. 

Quien  mas  corre,  menos  vuela. 

Correr  la  pella. 

Correr  á  rienda  suelta. 

A  mas  correr  ;  á  todo  correr. 

Dejarse  correr. 

Correr  fortuna. 

Corre  el  verso. 

Corre  la  flecha. 


Correr  el  velo. 


To  be  overworked. 

To  run  the  risk. 

The  times  are  evil. 

If  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst. 

The  water  flows  through  the  chan- 
nels. 

To  tolerate  or  permit  a  thing. 

To  transact  business  expeditiously. 

To  let  one  learn  by  experience. 

To  be  equal. 

To  run  counter. 

To  disappear. 

The  salaries  contiiwe. 

To  gutter  (said  of  a  candle). 

To  weep  much. 

The  money  circulates. 

To  drop  the  curtain. 

To  put  to  the  blush  ;  to  disconcert. 

To  fight  bulls. 

The  ink  is  fluid. 

The  wind  blows  from  the  north. 

To  be  distant. 

To  go  hunting. 

The  mountain  extends  to  .  .  . 

To  be  ashamed  or  confused  ;  to 
run  away. 

Time  flies,  or  passes. 

To  travel  by  post. 

A  game  where  riders  at  full  speed 
snatch  at  a  goose  or  cock. 

More  haste,  worse  speed. 

To  run  swiftly. 

To  ride  at  full  speed. 

As  quickly  as  possible. 

To  slide  down  a  pole  or  rope. 

To  pass  through  a  storm. 

The  verse  runs  smoothly. 

The  arrow  flies  (said  when  Indian 
tribes  agree  to  make  war  upon  a 
common  enemy). 

To  discover  a  secret. 


48 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Correr  baquetas. 
Correr  con  armonía. 
Correr  la  linea. 
Correr  la  cortina. 
Correr  la  cinta  ó  cordon. 
Correr  ganado. 

Correr  á  cuatro  pies  de  paridad. 

Á  turbio  correr ;  ó  cuando  todo 
turbio  corra. 

Correr  el  café  al  precio  de  diez  cen- 
tavos libra. 

Correr  la  cinta,  cordón  ú  otra  cosa 
que  haga  lazo. 

Correr  el  velo. 

Correr  las  amonestaciones. 

Corre  el  año. 

Correr  sin  freno. 

Correr  al  cuidado  de  alguno  alguna 
cosa. 

Correr  la  palabra. 

Correr  tormenta. 

Correr  en  el  mismo  rumbo. 

Correr  á  palo  seco. 

Correr  sobre  un  bajel. 

Correr  un  viento  forzado. 

Correr  del  otro  bordo. 

Correr  por  bordos,  ó  bordear. 

Correr  á  dos  puños. 

Correr  las  mares. 

Correr  á  bolina,  ó  á  trinca. 

Correr  hacia  la  tierra. 

Correr  viento  en  popa. 

Correr  con  la  mar  en  popa. 

Correr  fortuna. 

Tanto  monta  cortar  como  desatar, 

dijo  Alejandro  Magno. 
Cortarse  las  uñas  con  alguno. 
Cortar  el  revesino. 


To  run  the  gauntlet. 

To  live  in  peace. 

To  inspect  the  lines  of  an  army. 

To  draw  the  curtain. 

To  draw  the  ribbon  or  cord. 

To  capture  stray  cattle  ;  to  impound 

cattle. 
To  be  exactly  equal. 
However  bad  or  unfortunate  it  may 

be. 
Coffee  sells  at  ten  cents  per  pound. 

To  loosen  a  knot. 

To  take  off  the  mask. 

To  publish  the  bans  of  marriage. 

The  year  is  passing  away. 

To  give  one's  self  up  to  vice. 

To  retain  the  care  and  responsibility 

of  an  affair. 
To  give  the  word  (mil.). 
To  run  before  the  wind  in  a  storm  ; 

to  scud  (nau.). 
To   continue    in    the    same    course 

(nau.). 
To  scud  under  bare  poles  (nau.). 
To  bear  down  upon  a  vessel  (nau.). 
To  sail  in  a  storm  (nau.). 
To  stand  on  the  other  tack  (nau.). 
To  ply  to  windward  (nau.). 
To  run  before  the  wind  (nau.). 
To  follow  the  seas  (nau.). 
To  sail  by  the  wind  (nau.). 
To  stand  in  shore  (nau.). 
To  sail  before  the  wind  (nau.). 
To  scud  before  the  sea  (nau.). 
To  sail  before  the  wind  (nau.). 
To  cut  is  the  same  as  to  untie,  said 

Alexander  the  Great. 
To  pick  a  quarrel  with  any  one. 
To  interrupt ;  to  impede. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


49 


Se  corta  la  leche. 
Cortar  las  alas. 

Cortar  los  vuelos. 

Cortar  las  piernas. 
Cortar  bien  una  lengua. 

Cortar  un  sayo,  ó  un  vestido. 

Cortar  el  vino  con  agua. 

Cortar  de  tijera. 

Cortar  la  hebra. 

Cortar  el  hilo  de  la  vida. 

Cortar  el  hilo. 

Cortar  faldas. 
Cortar  el  naipe. 
Cortar  de  raiz. 
Coserse  la  boca. 

Cosido  con  hilo  gordo. 

Coserse  con  la  tierra  ó  con  la  pared. 

Cueste  lo  que  cueste. 
Nunca  mucho  costó  poco. 
Me  cuesta  tanto. 
Cuesta  la  torta  un  pan. 
Pan  ajeno  caro  cuesta. 

Lo  que  cuesta  poco,  se  estima  en 

menos. 
Costar  un  ojo. 
Caro  cuesta  el  arrepentirse. 
Crecer  hacia  abajo. 

La  carga  andando  crece. 

Mientras  la  yerba  crece,  el  caballo 

muere. 
Carne  que  crece,  no  puede  estar  si 

no  mece. 


The  milk  turns  sour. 

To  take  one  down  a  peg ;  to  re- 
strict ;  to  clip  the  wings. 

To  clip  the  wings ;  to  impose  a 
restraint. 

To  render  a  thing  impossible. 

To  speak  a  language  with  propriety 
and  elegance. 

To  murmur  against  or  blame  any  one. 

To  dilute  wine  with  water. 

To  criticise  ;  to  find  fault. 

To  cut  the  thread  of  life. 

To  kill. 

To  interrupt  a  discourse  or  conver- 
sation. 

To  backbite. 

To  cut  for  deal  (cards). 

To  eradicate. 

To  refuse  to  answer  ;  not  to  speak  a 
word. 

Badly,  carelessly  done. 

To  creep  along  the  ground,  or  the 
wall. 

Cost  what  it  may. 

Much  never  cost  little. 

It  stands  me  in  so  much. 

The  sprat  cost  a  herring. 

Other  people's  bread  is  dearly 
bought. 

That  which  costs  but  little  is  valued 
less. 

To  be  very  dear. 

Repentance  is  very  dearly  purchased. 

To  retrograde ;  to  lose  instead  of 
gaining. 

Light  burdens,  if  borne  far,  become 
heavy. 

While  the  grass  is  growing  the  horse 
is  starving. 

Growing  children  cannot  keep  still. 


50 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


La  marea  crece,  ó  mengua. 
Crecer  á  palmos. 
La  mala  yerba  crece  mucho. 
Creer  á  macha  martillo. 

Creer  á  puño  cerrado. 
Creer  á  ojos  cerrados. 

Creerse  del  aire. 

No  me  lo  harán  creer  cuantos  aran 

y  cavan. 
De  tu  mujer  y  de  tu  amigo  experto, 

no  creas  sino  lo  que  supieres  de 

cierto. 

Salud  y  alegría,  belleza  cria. 
Dios  los  cria,  y  ellos  se  juntan. 
Cria  cuervos,  y  te  sacarán  los  ojos. 

Piedra  movediza  no  cria  moho. 

La  tierra  do  me  criare,  démela  Dios 

por  madre. 
Carne,  carne  cria,  y  peces  agua  fria. 

Criar  á  los  pechos. 

La  viña  y  el  potro,  críela  otro. 

Criado  por  abuelo,  nunca  bueno. 

Antes  de  criticar  pon  la  mano  en  tu 

pecho. 
Criticar  ó  corregir  el  magníficat. 
Cruzarse  los  negocios. 
Cruzar  los  intereses  de  alguno. 

Cruzar  las  manos. 
Cubrir  la  cuenta. 
Cubrirse  con  la  cola. 
Cubrírsele  á  uno  el  corazón. 
Quien  te  cubre,  te  descubre. 
Cubrir  con  un  velo. 
Cuidar  del  número  uno. 


The  tide  flows,  or  ebbs. 

To  grow  very  fast. 

Ill  weeds  grow  fast. 

To  believe  in  spite  of  everything  ;  to 
have  implicit  faith. 

To  believe  firmly. 

To  believe  without  sufficient  founda- 
tion. 

To  be  credulous. 

No  one  shall  ever  make  me  believe  it. 

Do  not  believe  everything  you  hear, 
even  from  your  wife  or  your 
friend ;  they,  too,  may  be  mis- 
taken. 

Health  and  mirth  make  beauty. 

Bircis  of  a  feather  flock  together. 

Cosset  a  crow,  and  he  will  pick  your 
eyes  out. 

A  rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss. 

One's  native  land  is  dearest. 

A  diet  of  meat  is  more  nutricious 
than  one  of  fish. 

To  instruct  or  educate  a  person. 

Beginnings  are  difficult. 

Children  brought  up  by  their  grand- 
parents are  generally  spoiled. 

Before  you  find  fault  with  others, 
look  to  yourself. 

To  criticise  without  judgment. 

To  be  overwhelmed  with  business. 

To  interfere  with  the  interests  of 
others. 

To  be  quiet. 

To  balance  an  account. 

To  make  use  of  frivolous  evasions. 

To  be  very  melancholy  or  very  sorry. 

Excessive  secrecy  betrays. 

To  conceal. 

To  take  care  of  one's  self. 


SPAX/Sn  IDIOMS. 


51 


Cuida  tu  los  cuartos,  que  los  pesos 
se  cuidan  solos. 

Cumplir  años  ó  dias. 
Cumpla  V.  por  mí,  ó  i)or  otro. 

Cumplir  de  palabra. 

Cumplir   la    palabra,  ó    el  voto ;    ó 

mantener  su  palabra. 
Cumplírsele  á  uno  su  deseo. 
El  plazo  se  ha  cumplido. 
Cumplir  á  la  letra. 
Cumplir  un  pleito. 
Curarse  en  salud. 
Como  te  curas,  duras. 
Eso  se  cura  con  una  telaraña. 
El  tiempo  cura  al  enfermo,  que  no 

el  ungüento. 
El  viejo  que  se  cura,  cien  años  dura. 

De  juicios  non  me  curo  ;  que  mis 
obras  me  hacen  seguro. 

De  nuevas  no  os  enredes,  que  ha- 
cerse han  viejas  y  saberlas  hedes. 

Dale  al  tonto  una  cuerda,  y  ahor- 
carse ha  con  ella. 

Mal  de  que  no  ha ;  ó  nada  puede 
dar  quien  no  tiene. 

Cuando  te  den  la  vaquilla  acude  con 
la  soguilla. 

Dando  gracias  por  agravios,  nego- 
cian los  hombres  sabios. 

Al  villano  dale  el  pié,  y  se  tomará  la 
mano. 

Dios  da  el  frió  conforme  á  la  ropa. 

Quien  da  lo  suyo  antes  de  su  muerte, 
merece  que  le  den  con  un  mazo 
en  la  frente. 

Da  y  ten,  y  harás  bien. 


Take  care  of  the  pence,  and  the 
pounds  will  take  care  of  them- 
selves. 

To  reach  one's  birthday. 

Do  it  in  my  name,  or  in  another's 
name. 

To  promise  and  not  perform. 

To  fulfil  one's  promise. 

To  have  one's  wishes  fulfilled. 
The  time  has  expired. 
To  obey  orders  exactly. 
To  end  a  lawsuit. 
To  guard  against  unreal  danger. 
Live  wisely,  and  live  long. 
That  can  easily  be  cured. 
Time  is  the  best  medicine. 

If   the   old   would   live    long,    they 

must  live  carefully. 
It  matters  little  what  others  say,  for 

I  have  done  my  best. 
Be  not    over- eager  for  news  ;  it  will 

come  sooner  or  later. 
Give  a  rope  to  a  fool,  and  he  will 

hang  himself. 
You  can  get   no   more   from   a   cat 

than  her  skin. 
AMien  they  gi\'e  you  a  calf,  be  ready 

with  a  halter  ;  or,  make  hay  while 

the  sun  shines. 
Bear  and  forbear. 

Give  an  inch,  and  he  will  take   an 

ell. 
God  tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn 

lamb. 
Who    gives    his   goods    before    he's 

dead,    take  a    beetle  and    knock 

him  on  the  head. 
Be  liberal,  but  prudent. 


52 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Dar  y  tener,  seso  ha  menester. 

Dar  gusto,  ó  pena. 
Dar  treguas. 
Dar  señas. 

Dar  intención. 

Dar  la  pez. 

Dar  ó  exhalar  el  espíritu ;  ó  dar  el 

alma. 
Dar  el  alma  al  Diablo. 

Dar  á  alguno  en  la  cabeza. 

Dar  con  la  cabeza  en  las  paredes. 

Dar  señal. 

Por  dar  gusto  á  .  .  . 

Dar  gusto. 

No  dar  asenso. 

No  dar  su  asenso. 

Dar  bien  ó  mal  el  juego. 

Dar  música  á  un  sordo. 

Dar  lado. 

Dar  un  bocado  á  uno. 

Darle  á  alguno  por  las  inmediatas. 

Dar  gana. 

La  lectura  de  ese  libro  le  dará  gana 

de  dormir  á  V. 
Dar  con  algo. 
Dar  palabra  ó  su  palabra. 

Dar  de  mano. 

Dar  la  mano. 

Dar  barro  á  mano. 

Darse  la  mano  una  cosa  con  otra. 

Dar  de  si. 

Dar  el  si. 

Dar  su  mano. 

No  darse  manos  á  una  cosa. 

Dar  palabra  y  mano. 


To  be  liberal,  yet  prudent,  requires 

ability. 
To  give  pleasure,  or  offence. 
To  suspend  pain  temporarily. 
To  describe   a  thing  by  giving  its 

distinctive  marks. 
To  give  hope. 
To  be  at  the  last  extremity. 
To  die. 

To  be  utterly  reckless  ;  to  give  one's 
soul  to  the  devil. 

To  frustrate  one's  designs. 

To  run  one's  head  against  a  wall. 

To  give  earnest-money. 

For  the  sake  of  .  .  . 

To  gratify  ;  to  please. 

Not  to  credit  or  believe  a  thing. 

Not  to  agree  to  a  thing. 

To  be  lucky  or  unlucky. 

To  labor  or  urge  in  vain. 

To  move  aside  ;  to  make  way. 

To  give  in  charity. 

To  overwhelm  a  person  with  argu- 
ments. 

To  have  a  mind  to  a  thing. 

Reading  this  book  will  put  you  to 
sleep. 

To  find  anything. 

To  bind  one's  self  to  the  fulfilment 
of  a  promise. 

To  lay  aside  ;  to  abandon. 

To  shake  hands. 

To  fiirnish  materials. 

To  harmonize. 

To  stretch. 

To  grant  anything ;  to  consent  to 
marry. 

To  marry. 

To  do  anything  hastily. 

To  celebrate  one's  betrothal. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


53 


Dar  la  última  mano  á  alguna  cosa. 

Dar  de  manos. 

Dar  en  manos  de  alguno. 

Al  hombre  osado  la  fortuna  le  da  La 

mano. 
Dar  calabazas  á  alguno. 


Dar  cañazo. 

¡  No  hay  que  darle  vueltas  ! 

Dar  vueltas. 

Dar  una  vuelta. 

Darse  una  vuelta. 

Dar  á  comprender. 
Dar  paso. 
Darse  por  buenos. 
Dar  en  una  tema. 
Esto  me  ha  dado  choz. 
Dar  cabezada. 
Dar  cabezadas. 
Darse  de  calabazadas. 

Me  doy  por  vencido. 

Lo  doy  por  hecho. 

Dar  saltos. 

Me  dan  por  cierto  que.  .  . 

No  daré  una  plumada. 

Dar  un  abrazo  apretado. 

Dar  en  la  tecla. 

Dar  en  la  chita. 

Dar  pié  con  bola. 

Dar  en  el  chiste,  ó  en  el  blanco. 

Dar  en  el  busilis,  ó  en  la  yema. 

Dar  en  el  hito,  ó  en  la  dificultad. 

Dar  en  la  vena,  ó  hallar  la  vena. 


To  ¡nit  the  last  touch  to  a  thing. 
To  fall  on  one's  hands. 
To  fall  into  the  power  of  another. 
Fortune  favors  the  brave. 

To  reject  a  person  at  an  examina- 
tion ;  or  to  refuse  a  proposal  of 
marriage. 

To  make  one  sad. 

No  quibbling  !  that  is  the  very  thing  ! 

To  promenade  on  a  public  walk. 

To  make  a  short  excursion. 

To  reflect  on  one's  conduct  or  ac- 
tions. 

To  give  to  understand. 

To  clear  the  way. 

To  be  reconciled. 

To  acquire  a  habit. 

This  has  struck  me  with  amazement. 

To  bow  the  head  in  sign  of  "respect. 

To  nod  with  sleepiness. 

To  labor  in  vain  to  ascertain  some- 
thing. 

I  give  it  up  ;  I  acknowledge  myself 
conquered. 

I  take  for  granted  that  it  is  done. 

To  jump  about. 

I    have    been    credibly    informed 
that  .  .  . 

I  will  not  write  a  line. 

To  give  a  close  embrace. 

To  tpuch  the  right  chord. 

To  see  the  point  of  a  difficulty. 

To  guess  rightly. 

To  hit  the  bull's-eye. 

To  hit  the  mark  ;  to  hit  the  nail  on 
the  head. 

To  hit  the  nail  on  the  head  ;  to  come 
to  the  point. 

To  hit  upon  the  right  means  to  get 
what  one  wants. 


54 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Dar  un  tiento. 

Dar  á  cata. 

Dar  una  carcajada. 

No  dar  pié,  ni  patada. 

l<e  dio  una  pega  de  patadas. 

Dar  palo. 

Bofetón  amagado,  nunca  bien  dado. 

Darse. 

Darse  al  estudio. 

Dar  cuenta  de  algo. 

Dar  diente  con  diente. 

Dar  vez. 

A  quien  dan  no  escoge. 

Dar  á  crédito,  ó  fiado. 

Dar  crédito. 

Si  ha  de  dársele  crédito. 

Dar  fiador  ó  fianza. 

Dar  cuenta  con  pago. 

Darse  por  perdido. 

Dar  en  que  entender. 

Dar  en  duro. 

Dar  á  censo. 

Dar  de  bandolera. 
Dar  la  bandera. 

No  saber  por  donde  darse. 
Dar  un  brazo,  ó  una  mano,  por  con- 
seguir algo. 

Dar  á  trompón. 

Darse  tres  ó  cuatro  filos  con  alguno. 

No  dar  ó  no  dejar  la  ida  por  la 
venida. 

Darse  dos  idas  y  venidas. 

Dar  el  beso  al  jarro. 

Dar  ó  echar  otro  nudo  á  la  bolsa. 

Dársele  á  uno  las  coplas  de  la  zara- 
banda. 


To  make  a  trial. 

To  give  upon  trial. 

To  burst  out  laughing. 

To  take  no  trouble  to  gain  an  end. 

He  gave  him  a  good  kick. 

To  turn  out  contrary  to  one's  expec- 
tations. 

A  barking  dog  does  not  bite. 

To  give  one's  self  up  ;  to  give  it  up. 

To  apply  one's  self  to  study. 

To  waste  or  destroy  anything. 

To  have  one's  teeth  chatter  with  the 
cold. 

To  give  one  his  turn. 

Beggars  must  not  be  choosers. 

To  sell  on  credit. 

To  believe. 

If  he  is  to  be  believed. 

To  find  bail ;  to  give  security. 

To  close  or  balance  an  account. 

To  give  one's  self  up  for  lost,  for  dead. 

To  give  trouble. 

To  attain  with  difficulty. 

To  give  a  long  lease  (by  the  govern- 
ment) . 

To  admit  one  to  the  royal  life-guards. 

To  submit  to  the  superior  talents  or 
merits  of  another. 

To  be  at  a  loss  how  to  decide. 

To  have  a  vehement  desire  ;  to  be 
willing  to  give  a  hand  or  an  arm 
to  attain  it. 

To  give  at  random. 

To  talk  pleasantly  with  one. 

To  solicit  very  earnestly. 

To  transact  business  quickly. 
To  drink  freely. 
To  become  extremely  frugal. 
To  treat  a  person  or  thing  with  in- 
difference. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


55 


Dar  ó  conceder  inválidos. 

Dar  arqueadas. 

Dar  trascantón,  ó  trascantonada. 

Dar  un  toque. 

Dar  cima. 

Me  da  rabia. 

Dar  poste. 

Dar  á  logro. 

Dar  ó  tomar  dinero  á  daño. 

Dar  á  ínteres. 

Lo  dieron  por  libre. 

Dar  derecho  de  alguno. 

Quien  da  luego,  da  dos  veces. 

Dar  en  duro. 

Dar  forma. 

Dar  la  sangre  de  sus  venas. 

Dar  hasta  sus  entrañas. 

Dar  fin  á  algima  cosa. 
Dar  fin  de  una  cosa. 
Dar  fin. 
Dar  cabo  á  alguna  cosa. 

Dar  cabo  de  alguna  cosa. 

Dar  en  error. 

Dar  en  blando. 

El  dar  quebranta  las  peñas. 

Mas  da  el  duro  que  el  desnudo. 

Le  dio  un  dolor  de  costado. 
No  dar  palotada. 

No  dar  puntada  ó  palotada  en  un 

negocio. 
Dar  la  última  pincelada. 
Darse  un  filo  á  la  lengua. 
En  este  terreno  se  da  bien  el  trigo. 
Dar  de  baja. 
Quien  da  bien,  vende  si  no  es  ruin 

el  que  prende. 


To  pension  veteran  soldiers  or  sailors. 

To  show  symptoms  of  nausea. 

To  hide  one's  self  behind  a  corner. 

To  give  one  a  trial  in  business. 

To  conclude  happily. 

That  annoys  me  excessively. 

To  keep  a  person  waiting. 

To  put  money  out  at  usurious  in- 
terest. 

To  lend  or  borrow  money  on  interest. 

To  place  at  interest. 

They  let  him  go  free. 

To  compel  by  legal  means. 

He  who  gives  promptly,  gives  twice. 

To  offer  resistance. 

To  regulate  or  put  in  order. 

To  make  great  sacrifices. 

To  give  one's  life  for  a  cause  or  for 
another's  sake. 

To  finish  a  thing  completely. 

To  put  an  end  to. 

To  die. 

To  give  the  finishing  touch  to  a 
thing. 

To  destroy  a  thing. 

To  make  a  mistake. 

To  attain  easily. 

Judicious  gifts  smooth  the  way. 

A  rich  miser  gives  more  than  an 
impecunious  prodigal. 

He  had  a  pain  in  his  side. 

Not  to  have  said  or  done  the  right 
thing. 

To  do  nothing  in  the  matter. 

To  give  the  finishing  stroke. 
To  murmur  ;  to  detract. 
Wheat  flourishes  well  in  this  soil. 
To  dismiss  from  the  army. 
Gifts  to  the  grateful  are  not  without 
recompense. 


56 


SPANISH  IDIOMS: 


Dar  higas. 

No  se  me  da  un  bledo. 

No  dar  por  una  cosa  dos  higas. 

No    dársele  a  uno    un  pito ;    ó  un 

higo  ;  ó  un  pepino. 
Nada  se  me  da  de  ello. 
Ahí  me  las  den  todas. 
Dársele  poco. 

Dársele  á  uno  poco  de  alguna  cosa. 
No  darle  á  uno  alguna  cosa  frió,  ni 

calentura. 
Tanto  se  le  da  por  lo  que  va  como 

por  lo  que  viene. 
Dar  por  bien  empleado. 
No  se  dan  palos  de  balde. 
Dar  con  el  pié. 
Se  me  da  mucho. 
Dado  que  .  .  . 

Dar  de  barato. 
No  dar  la  cara. 
Dios,  que  da  la  llaga,  da  la  medicina. 

Dar  tajos  y  mandobles. 

Dar  la  pez. 

Quien  te  da  un  hueso,  no  te  quiere 

ver  muerto. 
Tres  cosas  demando  si  Dios  me  las 

diere,  la  tela,  el  telar,  y  la  que  la 

teje. 
Dar  golpe  una  cosa. 

Dar  el  golpe  en  vago. 

Dar  un  sesgo  á  la  conversación. 

Dar  un  pienso. 

Donde  las  dan,  las  toman. 

Dar  prestado. 
Darse  un  refregón. 


To  despise  a  thing. 
I  do  not  care  a  straw. 
Not  to  value  a  thing  at  all. 
Not  to  care  a  rush,  or  a  fig. 

I  care  nothing  about  it. 
I  do  not  care  for  that. 
To  care  nothing  for  a  thing ;  to  de- 
spise it. 
Not  to  care  about  anything. 
Not  to  care  at  all. 

He  cares  for  nothing  at  all. 

Not  to  regret. 

Nothing  for  nothing. 

To  treat  a  thing  with  contempt. 

That  is  very  important  to  me. 

Supposing  that  .  .  .  ;  granted  that 
.  .  .  (used  in  argument). 

To  grant  for  argument's  sake. 

To  conceal  one's  self. 

God,  who  gives  the  wound,  sends 
the  cure. 

To  run  up  huts  as  the  soldiers  do. 

To  be  at  the  last  extremity. 

He  who  shares  what  he  has  with 
you,  does  not  hate  you. 

Three  things  I  ask  of  God  :  the  loom, 
the  weaver,  and  the  cloth  ( reproach 
to  those  who  are  never  satisfied). 

To  strike  with  admiration  or  aston- 
ishment. 

To  be  frustrated  in  an  affair. 

To  change  the  subject  of  conversa- 
tion. 

To  give  bait  or  food  to  an  animal. 

As  one  sows,  so  he  must  reap  ;  they 
who  give  must  take. 

To  lend. 

To  speak  briefly  on  a  subject. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


57 


Dar  el  viento. 

Fortuna  te  de  Dios  hijo,  que  el  saber 

poco  te  importa. 
No  dar  una  sed  de  agua. 

Dar  el  alma  al  amigo. 

Dar  con  la  carga  en  tierra. 

Dar  dado  ;  ó  de  balde ;  ó  de  ñapa. 

Dar  sus  disculpas. 

Dar  las  cartas. 

Dar  papilla. 

Dar  broma. 

Dar  con  la  del  martes. 

Dar  mate. 

Dar  brega. 

Dar  candonga,  ó  chasco. 

Dar  con  una  persona  en  tierra. 

Dar  á  uno  una  ropilla. 

Dar  una  calada  ;  ó  jabonadura. 

Dar  á  uno  una  carga  cerrada ;  ó  un 

capítulo. 
Dar  en  rostro  alguna  cosa. 
Dar  en  rostro  á  uno  alguna  cosa. 
Dar  á  alguno  con  las  puertas  en  la 

cara. 
Dar  grima. 
Dar  guerra. 

Dar  tormento. 
Dar  por  el  pié. 
Dar  con  el  pié. 
Dar  de  codo. 
Dar  una  bofetada. 

Dar  á  algiuio  dos  con  que  beba,  y 

tres  con  que  coma. 
Darse  á  perros. 
Dar  entre  ceja  y  ceja. 


To  deduce  conclusions  from  reason- 
able premises. 
Luck  is  better  than  wisdom. 

Not  to  be  willing  to  give  even  a  cup 

of  water. 
To  be  willing  to  favor  a  friend. 
To  sink  under  fatigue  or  distress. 
To  give  gratis. 
To  make  an  apology. 
To  deal  the  cards. 
To  deceive  by  insincere  caresses. 
To  joke  about  any  one  present. 
To  make  fun  of  any  one. 
To  scoff  at  any  one. 
To  play  a  trick. 
To  play  a  carnival  trick. 
To   throw   a   person    down,    as    in 

wrestling. 
To  give  a  friendly  reprimand. 
To  reprimand. 
To  reprimand  severely. 

To  cause  disgust,  annoyance,  anxiety. 
To  reproach  for  faults  committed. 
To  shut  the  door  in  one's  face. 

To  strike  with  terror  or  fear. 

To  wage  war  ;  to  torment ;  to  give 

trouble. 
To  torture. 
To  overthrow. 

To  despise,  scorn,  make  light  of. 
To  elbow  ;  to  treat  with  contempt. 
To  strike  on  the  face  •  to  treat  with 

contempt. 
To  strike  a  person. 

To  become  enraged,  furious. 

To  strike  between  the  eyes   (used 

metaphorically  of   an   unpleasant 

announcement) . 


58 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Darse  por  sentido. 

Dar  á  beber  hieles. 
Dar  sobre  uno. 
¡  Que  van  dando  ! 
Dar  con  vaina  y  todo. 

¡  Eso  me  da  tanto  coraje  ! 

Dar  coces  contra  el  aguijón. 

Si  da  el  cántaro  en  la  piedra,  ó  la 

p'edra  en  el  cántaro,  mal  para  el 

cántaro. 
Dar  mal  rato. 
Dar  dentelladas. 
Dar  tras  uno. 
Da)-  para  peras. 
Dai  garrote. 

Dar  0.1  diablo  el  hato  y  el  garabato. 
Dars ;  de  las  astas. 
Dar  que  hacer. 
Dar  en  cara. 
Dar  cantaleta. 
Dar  baya. 

Dar  buena  ó  mala  vida. 
Dar  que  reír,  ó  llorar. 
Darse  un  verde. 
Darse  un  verde  con  dos  azules. 

Dar  del  azote. 
Dar  coces. 
Dar  contra. 
Dar  traspiés. 
Dar  de  ojos. 

Dar  en  los  ojos. 

Dar  en  el  suelo  con  una  cosa. 

Dar  consigo  en  el  suelo. 

Dar  con  el  cuerpo  en  tierra. 

Dar  ó  caer  de  bruces. 

Dar  un  costalazo. 

Dar  de  espaldas,  ó  costillas. 


To  take  offence ;  to  show  resent- 
ment. 

To  lead  one  a  bitter  life. 

To  attack  any  one. 

To  give  blow  for  blow. 

To  abuse  roundly;  to  punish  se- 
verely. 

That  puts  me  in  such  a  rage  ! 

To  kick  against  the  pricks. 

Whether  the  pitcher  hits  the  stone, 
or  the  stone  hits  the  pitcher,  it  is 
sure  to  fare  ill  with  the  pitcher. 

To  give  uneasiness. 

To  speak  rudely,  uncivilly. 

To  persecute  one. 

To  strike  or  punish. 

To  strangle. 

To  consign  everything  to  the  devil. 

To  snap  and  carp  at  one  another. 

To  give  trouble  ;  to  make  work. 

To  stare  in  the  face  ;  to  reproach. 

To  laugh  at. 

To  tease. 

To  treat  one  well,  or  ill. 

To  make  one  laugh,  or  weep. 

To  amuse  one's  self  for  a  short  time. 

To  have  a  great  amusement  or  pleas- 
ure. 

To  whip  (a  horse). 

To  kick  (said  of  animals). 

To  hit  against. 

To  stumble,  without  falling. 

To  fall  on  one's  face  ;  to  fall  into 
error. 

To  be  self-evident. 

To  bring  anything  to  the  ground. 

To  fall  down. 

To  fall  down. 

To  fall  headlong. 

To  fall  flat ;  to  fail. 

To  fall  on  one's  back,  or  side. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


59 


Dar  en  un  precipicio. 
Dar  calor. 
Dar  algún  color. 
Dar  pan  y  callejuela. 

Dar  el  mundo  un  estallido. 
Dar  un  estallido. 

Dar  un  chillido. 
Dar  voces. 
Dar  gritos. 
Dar  gemidos. 
Dar  que  decir. 
Dar  zapatetas. 
Dar  el  pésame. 
Dar  los  buenos  dias. 
Dar  las  pascuas. 

Dar  el  parabién  ;  ó  la  enhorabuena. 

Dar  los  dias. 

Dar  recados. 

Dar  parte. 

Dar  madrugón. 

Es  amigo  de  dar  consejos. 

Dar  largas. 

Nadie  le  dio  la  vara,  él  se  hizo  al- 
calde y  manda. 

Dar  para  alfileres. 

Dar  una  almendrada. 
Dar  la  paz. 

Dar  razón. 

Dar  razón  de  si,  ó  de  su  persona. 

Dar  orejas. 

Conforme  diere  el  dado. 

Dar  rienda  suelta. 

Darse  á  la  virtud. 


To  fall  down  a  precipice. 

To  foment ;  to  accelerate. 

To  paint  with  some  color. 

To  furnish  one  with  the  means  to 

escape  from  danger. 
The  world  seems  out  of  joint. 
To  make  a  noise  or  confusion  ;   to 

make  a  dishonest  failure. 
To  utter  a  scream. 
To  cry  out,  or  scream. 
To  shout. 
To  utter  groans. 

To  provoke  censure,  or  comment. 
To  leap  with  joy. 
To  express  condolence. 
To  wish  one  a  good  day. 
To   wish    one    a   happy   Easter   or 

Christmas. 
To  congratulate. 

To  congratulate  on  one's  birthday. 
To  greet  absent  friends. 
To  share  with  ;  to  inform. 
To  get  up  early. 

He  is  very  fond  of  giving  advice. 
To  procrastinate  or  delay ;   to  give 

full  liberty  to  act. 
Nobody  has  put  you  in  authority,  or 

made    you    magistrate     (do    not 

interfere). 
To  give  fees  to  the  servants ;  to  give 

pin-money. 
To  say  something  pleasing. 
To  give  a  token  of  peace  and  good- 
will. 
To  inform  :  to  give  an  account  of. 
To  follow  instructions  exactly. 
To  listen. 

According  to  circumstances. 
To  let  an  animal  (or  person)  go  at 

his  own  gait. 
To  occupy  one's  self  in  good  deeds. 


60 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Lo  que  Dios  da,  llevarse  ha. 
Dar  taba  á  alguno. 

Á  mal  dar  tomar  tabaco. 

Dar  la  tarantela. 

Dar  margen. 

Dar  una  manta. 
Dar  zelos. 
Dar  un  vistazo. 

Dársele  á  uno  las  coplas  de  la  zara- 
banda. 
Dar  recado  para  alguna  cosa. 

No  dé  Dios  á  nuestros  amigos  tanto 
bien  que  nos  desconozcan. 

Ni  juega  ni  da  barato. 

Dar  ó  tomar  asiento  en  las  cosas. 

A  gato  viejo  ratón  tierno. 
Dar  de  cabeza. 

Quien  no  da  nudo,  pierde  punta. 

Dar  ó  echar  otro  nudo  á  la  bolsa. 

Dar  solución  á  una  duda. 

Darse  por  entendido. 

Dar  compra  y  vendida. 

Darse  al  diantre. 

Darse  una  panzada. 

Dar  estudio  á  uno. 

Dar  en  caperuza. 

Dar  á  uno  una  dedada  de  miel. 

Dar  calda. 

Mis  ventanas  dan  al  campo. 

Dar  el  nombre,  ó  el  santo. 
Dar  pliego. 


What  God  sends  must  be  borne. 
To  have  a  long  conversation  with  a 

person. 
What  can't  be  cured  must  be  en- 
dured. 
To  excite  or  agitate  a  person  exces- 
sively. 
To    occasion ;     to    cause ;    to    give 

opportunity. 
To  toss  in  a  blanket. 
To  excite  suspicion. 
To  glance. 
To  treat  a  person  with  indifference 

or  inattention. 
To  furnish  what  is  necessary  for  the 

completion  of  something. 
May  God  not  give  to  our  friends  so 

great  prosperity  as  shall  alienate 

them  from  us. 
To  act  with  indifference  ;  taking  no 

decided  part. 
To    let    things    take    their    regular 

course. 
An  old  cat  likes  a  young  mouse. 
To   fall   into    misfortunes ;    to    lose 

one's  authority. 
Most  haste,  worst  speed. 
To  be  a  miser. 
To  solve  a  doubt. 

To  show  that  a  thing  is  understood. 
To  permit  trade. 
To  despair. 
To  be  fed  to  satiety. 
To  maintain  one  at  his  studies. 
To  frustrate  one's  views. 
To  cheat ;  to  deceive. 
To  heat  the  iron. 
My  windows  overlook  the  field,  or 

country. 
To  give  the  watchword  (mil.). 
To  present  a  proposal  for  contract 

with  government. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


61 


Quien  amaga  y  no  da,  miccio  ha. 

Dar  en  manías. 
Dar  puerta  y  silla. 

Dar  el  testo. 

Darse  un  repelón. 

Darse  á  merced. 

Dar  filo. 

Dar  torniquete  á  una  frase. 

Dar  ó  caer  en  borrasca. 

Dar  al  traste. 

Dar  al  traste  con  el  caudal. 
Dar  al  traste  con  sus  negocios. 

Dar  un  cabe  al  bolsillo. 
Dar  estampido. 
Dar  una  estampida. 

Darse  maña. 

Dar  pasada. 

Dar  de  revés  el  viento. 

No  dar  palotada. 

Dar   por   concluida,    ó   hecha,   una 

cosa. 
Dame  siquiera  un  poquito. 
Dar  una  visita. 
Dar,  ó  echar,  luz. 
Dar  á  luz. 
El  dar  es  honor,  el  pedir  dolor. 

Darse  á  jugar. 

Dar  por  la  tetilla. 

Dar  en  la  matadura. 

Al  necio  y  al  aire,  darle  calle. 

Dar  licencia. 

Dar  con  la  entretenida. 

Dar  de  comer. 


He  who  threatens  to  strike,  and 
does  not,  is  afraid. 

To  be  foolish. 

To  invite  one  to  come  in  and  sit 
down  ;  to  be  hospitable. 

To  give  the  authority. 

To  gossip  or  chat. 

To  surrender  at  discretion. 

To  sharpen  an  instrument. 

To  distort  the  sense  of  a  phrase. 

To  become  unprofitable ;  to  get 
into  barren  ground  (mining). 

To  give  up  a  thing  ;  to  lose  ;  to  de- 
stroy. 

To  dissipate  one's  fortune. 

To  fail  ;  to  be  unfortunate  in  busi- 
ness. 

To  damage  one's  fortune. 

To  make  a  noise. 

To  abscond  w-hen  in  debt ;  to  run 
away. 

To  bring  about  •  to  contrive. 

To  tolerate  ;  to  permit. 

A  sudden  change  of  wind. 

Not  to  have  said  or  done  the  right 
thing. 

To  have  something  finished,  accom- 
plished. 

Give  me  at  least  a  little  of  it. 

To  pay  a  short  visit. 

To  recover  health  and  strength. 

To  publish ;  to  give  birth  to. 

It  is  an  honor  to  give,  a  misery  to 
ask. 

To  be  addicted  to  gambling. 

To  touch  a  person  to  the  quick. 

To  touch  to  the  quick. 

Never  contradict  a  fool. 

To  give  leave,  permission. 

To  put  off  with  words  and  excuses. 

To  feed. 


62 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Darse  priesa. 
Dar  memorias. 

Dar  un  abrazo. 
Dar  de  presente. 
Dar  suelta. 

Dar  cuerda. 

Dar  cuerda  á  la  cuerda. 

Dar  cuerda  á  un  reloj. 

El  reloj  da. 

Ya  han  dado  las  nueve. 

Al  loco  y  al  toro,  darles  corro. 

Dar  por  supuesto,  ó  por  sentado. 

Dar  treguas. 

Dar  alzaprima. 

Dar  ó  echar  dado  falso ;    ó  dar 

petardo. 
Dar  perro  muerto. 
Quien  te  dio  la  hiél,  te  dará  la  miel. 

Dar  sesos  de  mosquito  á  alguno. 
Dar  contra  una  esquina. 
Dar  de  espuela  á  la  caballería,  ó  arri- 
mar las  espuelas  al  caballo. 
Dar  algo  mala  espina. 
Aun  no  he  dado  puntada  en  ello. 
Dar  una  puntada. 
Dar  estado. 

Dar  fé. 

Dar  la  fé. 

Dar  bastón. 

Dar  tinta,  ó  no  dar  tinta. 

Dar  un  jicarazo. 

Á  tu  tia  que  te  dé  para  libros. 

Del  rico  es  dar  remedio,  y  del  pobre 
consejo. 


To  hasten. 

To  send  one's  regards  or  compli- 
ments. 

To  embrace. 

To  give  immediately,  promptly. 

To  give  permission  to  a  servant  or 
pupil  to  go  out. 

To  give  one  an  opportunity  to  talk 
on  his  favorite  subject. 

To  prolong  an  affair. 

To  wind  up  a  watch. 

The  clock  strikes. 

It  has  struck  nine. 

Make  way  for  a  madman  and  a  bull. 

To  take  for  granted ;  as  a  matter  of 
course. 

To  give  a  respite  from  pain. 

To  lay  a  snare  for  a  person. 

To  cheat  or  deceive. 

To  deceive  or  disappoint  a  person. 
The  reproofs  of  our  superiors,  though 
bitter  to  endure,  may  be  salutary. 
To  lead  a  person  by  the  nose. 
To  act  unreasonably. 
To  spur  a  horse. 

To  forebode  evil  ;  to  be  a  bad  sign, 

I  have  not  yet  begun  it. 

To  make  an  allusion ;  to  insinuate. 

To  give  a  son  or  daughter  in  mar- 
riage. 

To  attest ;  to  certify. 

To  bind  one's  self. 

To  stir  with  a  stick. 

To  write  much,  or  the  contrary. 

To  poison  a  person. 

I  am  neither  willing  nor  obliged  to 
give  you  anything. 

The  rich  should  give  of  their  abund- 
ance, and  the  poor  of  their  expe- 
rience. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS.  63 

Á  la  primera  azadonada  disteis  en  el      To  detect  quickly  that  a  person  is 
agua.  not  worthy  of  the   consideration 

which  he  enjoys. 

Dar  el  naipe.  To  have  good  luck  in  gambling. 

Dar  bien  ó  mal  el  naipe.  To  have  good  or  bad  luck  in  gam- 

bling. 

Dar  el  naipe  á  alguno  para  una  cosa.      To  be  clever  or  skilful  in  doing  any- 
thing. 

Dar  en  las  narices.  To  scent  or  perceive  a  thing  at  a 

distance. 

Dar  con  los  huevos  en  la  ceniza.  To  fail  in  an  enterprise. 

La  vida  de  la  aldea,  désela  Dios  á      Village  life  for  him  who  likes  it. 
quien  la  desea. 

Dar  lumbre.  To  strike  sparks. 

Dar  voces  al  lobo.  .        To  give  words  to  the  wolf  (to  preach 

in  the  desert). 

Me  dio  por  junto  veinte  francos.  He  gave  me  in  all  twenty  francs. 

Á   quien   te   da   el   capón,  ciale  la      Be  grateful  toward  benefactors, 
pierna  y  el  alón. 

Dios  te  de  ovejas  é  hijos  para  ellas.       Attend  to  your  business  yourself  if 

you  would  prosper  (injunction  to 
farmers). 

Dar  un  cuarto  al  pregonero.  To  tell  it  to  you  is  to  publish  it  on 

the  housetops. 

Reniego  del  árbol  que  á  palos  ha  de      I  dislike  those  who  require  compul- 
dar  el  fruto.  sion. 

Dais  por  Dios  al  que  tiene  mas  que      It   is   foolish  to  give  to  those  who 
vos.  have  more  than  yourself. 

¿Que  se  le  da  á  Judas  de  los  pobres?      What  did  Judas  give  to  the  poor? 

(to  be  charitable  in  words,  not  in 
deeds). 

Dar  un  hueso  que  roer.  To  give  a  bone  to  pick  (to  transfer 

one's  difficulties  to  others). 

Came  sin  hueso  no  se  da  sino  á  Don      The  rich  and  powerful  have  many 
Bueso.  advantages  over  others. 

Dar  las  cuentas  del  gran  Capitán.  To  present  exorbitant  accounts,  with- 

out proper  explanation. 

Dar  la  causa  por  conclusa.  To  close  the  argument  and  wait  for 

the  judge's  decision. 

i  Cuando  el  lobo  da  en  la  dula,  guay      Losses  fall  heavily  upon  those  who 
de  quien  no  tiene  mas  que  una  !  have  but  little. 


64 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


El  perro  viejo,  si  ladra,  da  consejo. 

Dar  el  consejo  y  el  vencejo. 

Dar  por  corriente. 
Dar  atajo  á  una  cosa. 

Dar  como  por  amor  de  Dios. 


Cuando  te  dieren  el  anillo,  pon  el 
dedillo. 

Da  Dios  almendras  ó  habas  al  que 
no  tiene  quijadas. 

Da  Dios  alas  á  la  hormiga  para  mo- 
rir mas  aína. 

¡  Dios  me  de  contienda  con  quien 
me  entienda  ! 

Dar,  hacer,  ó  poner  lástima. 

Dios  dará. 

¡  Daca  el  gallo,  toma  el  gallo,  quedan 
las  plumas  en  la  mano  ! 

Dar,  decir,  annuciar  el  corazón  á 
alguno. 

El  centinela  da  arma. 

Cuando  no  lo  dan  los  campos,  no  lo 
dan  los  santos. 

No  dar  su  brazo  á  torcer. 

Torcerse  los  puños. 

Dar  á  la  cola. 

Dar  la  vida. 

Quien  da  parte  de  sus  cohechos,  de 

sus  tuertos  hace  derechos. 
Dar  con  aire,  ó  de  buen  aire. 
Dar  fuego,  ó  hacer  fuego. 

Dar  gracias. 

Darse  golpes  de  pecho. 

Dar  un  tiento. 


When  an  old  dog   barks,  he   gives 

counsel. 
Give  not  only  advice,  but  also  kindly 

help,  to  the  poor. 
To  accept  and  believe  a  rumor. 
To  stop  ;  to  put  an  abrupt  end  to  a 

thing. 
To  give  as  a  favor  that  which  is  due  ; 

to  make  a  merit  of  doing  one's 

duty. 
When  any  one  would  give  you  a  ring, 

have  your  finger  ready  (do  not  let 

opportunities  slip). 
Prosperity  sometimes  comes  too  late 
_  for  enjoyment. 
Blessings   when   perverted    become 

curses. 
God   grant  me  an   antagonist  who 

understands  me  ! 
To  cause  pity. 
God  will  provide. 
Hands  off! 

To  have  misgivings,  forebodings. 

The  sentinel  calls  the  guard. 

In  hard  times  people  cannot  give 
much  in  charity. 

Not  to  be  willing  to  put  one's  self 
out  of  one's  way  for  another. 

To  be  furious. 

To  attack  the  enemy  from  the  rear. 

To  encourage  ;  to  inspirit. 

Bribes  sometimes  avail,  however  un- 
justly. 

To  give  a  powerful  blow. 

To  shoot  with  firearms ;  to  start  a 
fire. 

To  thank. 

To  beat  one's  breast. 

To  make  a  trial. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


65 


Dar  pasada. 

Darse  ó  rendirse  á  discreción. 

Dar  á  la  estampa. 

Dar  forma. 

Dar  las  espaldas. 

Dar  en  que  pensar. 

Dar  palo. 

Dar  fruto. 

Dar  ó  tirar  una  puñalada  á  uno. 

Dar  fuego  á  los  tablones. 

Dar  fuego. 

Dar  un  raspadillo  á  un  bajel. 

Dar  de  quilla,  ó  tumbar  á  la  quilla. 

Dar  una  ligadura. 

Dar  fondo. 

Dar  fondo  con  codera  sobre  el  ancla. 

Dar  fondo  con  reguera. 

Dar  bordos. 

Dar  un  salto  á  bolina. 

Darse  á  la  vela. 

Dar  remolque. 

Dar  tumbos  por  esas  mares. 

Dar  con  el  talón  en  el  fondo. 

Dar  á  la  bomba. 

Dar  barreno. 

Dar  ó  pegar  la  voltereta. 

Dar  al  traste  un  barco. 

Dar  en  seco. 

Dar  culadas. 

Dar  en  bajio. 

Dar  ó  pegar  tumbos. 

Dar  la  boga. 

Á  rico  no  debas,  y  á  pobre  no  pro- 
metas. 

No  deber  una  sed  de  agua. 

Dime  con  quien  andas,  y  te  diré 
quien  eres. 


To  tolerate  ;  to  permit. 

To  surrender  at  discretion. 

To  send  to  the  press  ;  to  publish. 

To  arrange  ;  to  put  in  order. 

To  turn  one's  back  on  the  enemy. 

To  give  cause  for  thought. 

To  turn  out  undesirably. 

To  bear  fruit. 

To  make  a  pass  at  a  person. 

To  heat  planks  (in  order  to  bend 

them ) . 
To  bream  a  ship  (nau.). 
To   scrape    the    bottom   of   a   ship 

(nau.). 
To  careen,  to  overhaul,  a  vessel  (nau.). 
To  seize  (nau.). 
To  cast  anchor  (nau.). 
To  anchor  with  a  spring  on  the  cable 

(nau.). 
To  anchor  by  the  stern  (nau.). 
To  tack  (nau.). 
To  check  the  bowline  (nau.). 
To  set  sail  (nau.). 
To  take  in  tow  (nau.). 
To  incur  the  perils  of  the  sea  (nau.). 
To  touch  ground  with  the  stern  post 

(nau.). 
To  pump  the  ship  (nau.). 
To  scuttle  a  ship  (nau.). 
To  sink  a  ship  (nau.). 
To  sink  or  founder  (nau.). 
To  run  aground  (nau.). 
To  strike  repeatedly  (nau.). 
To  run  upon  a  sandbank  (nau.). 
To  run  aground  ;  to  founder  (nau.). 
To  give  the  stroke  (boating). 
Beware  of  obligations  to  rich  or  to 

poor. 
Not  to  be  under  any  obligations. 
Tell  me  who  are  your  friends,  and  I 

will  tell  you  what  you  are. 


66 


SPAA'ISH  IDIOMS. 


Antes  di  que  digan. 

El  decir  de  las  gentes. 

Según  V.  me  dice. 

Así,  ó  por  ahí  lo  dicen  malas  lenguas. 

Sin  decir  oxte  ni  moxte. 

Su  vestido  dice  su  pobreza. 

Decir  alguna  cosa  con  la  boca  chica. 

No  tener  que  decir. 

No  hay  mas  que  decir. 

Decir  mil  bienes. 

No  decir  malo  ni  bueno. 

Decir  su  atrevido  pensamiento,  ó  su 

dolor. 
Á  decir  verdad. 

¡  Mal   haya   V.    que   no    me    lo  ha 

dicho  ! 
Decir  dos  gracias. 
No  decirlo  á  sordo. 
No  decir  esta  boca  es  mia. 
¿  Lo  he  de  decir  cantado  y  rezado  ? 
Como  iba  diciendo  de  mi  cuento. 

Decir  y  hacer ;  ó  dicho  y  hecho. 
Quien  dice  lo  que  quiere,  oye  lo  que 
no  quiere. 

Quien  dice  lo  suyo,  mal  callará  lo 
ageno. 

Decir  nones. 

Decir  de  nuevo. 

El  semblante  de  Juan  dice  su  mal 
genio. 

Decir  unas  veces  cesta,  y  otras  bal- 
lesta. 

Decir  mentira  por  sacar  verdad. 

Decir  una  cosa  por  otra. 
Diga  V.  su  parecer. 
Decir  razones. 


Tell  your  own  story  first. 
The  opinion  of  the  people. 
According  to  what  you  tell  me. 
It  is  said  ;  it  is  reported. 
Without  asking  leave  or  license. 
His  dress  betrays  his  poverty. 
To  offer  a  thing  merely  for  form's 

sake. 
There  is  nothing  to  say. 
There  is  nothing  more  to  be  said. 
To  praise  ;  to  commend. 
To  remain  silent. 
To  make  an  offer  of  marriage. 

To  tell  the  truth  ...  or  the  truth 
is  .  .  . 

God  forgive  you  for  not  having  told 
me  ' 

To  tell  home  truths. 

Not  to  tell  it  to  deaf  ears. 

To  keep  a  profound  silence. 

Must  I  say  it  in  so  many  words  ? 

To  return  to  my  subject,  after  a  di- 
gression. 

No  sooner  said  than  done. 

He  who  says  just  what  he  pleases,  is 
likely  to  hear  what  will  not  please 
him. 

He  who  tells  his  own  secret,  will 
hardly  keep  another's. 

To  deny  ;  to  refuse. 

To  tell  over  again  ;  to  repeat. 

John's  face  shows  his  bad  temper. 

To  be  fickle  in  opinion. 

To  tell  a  lie  in  order  to  extort  the 

truth  from  another. 
To  tell  a  lie. 
Declare  your  opinion. 
To  ar<iue. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


07 


Por  mejor  decir. 

Eso  es  decir,  ó  quiere  decir. 

Decir  ó  hacer  divinidades. 

Decir  los  Jesuses. 

La  misa  dÍLfala  el  Cura. 


Decírselo  de  misas,  ó  allá  te  lo  dirán 

de  misas. 
Digan  t¡ue  de  Dios  dijeron. 

Decir  los  nombres  de  las  pascuas. 

Dijo  la  sartén  á  la  caldera  i  quítate 
allá  culinegra  ! 

No  digas  mal  del  año  hasta  que 
haya  pasado. 

No  dice  mas  la  lengua  que  lo  que 
siente  el  corazón. 

No  sé  que  decir. 

¿  Que  quiere  decir  eso  ? 

Se  ha  propasado  á  decirme. 

Volver  á  decir. 

Los  niños  y  los  locos  dicen  la  ver- 
dad. 

Es  mucho  decir. 

Ello  dirá. 

Dije  para  mi  capote,  ó  mi  sayo. 

Decir  tijeretas ;  ó  tijeretas  han  de 
ser. 

Oir  decir. 

Decir  por  todas  partes. 

Le  gusta  decir. 

Decir  bien. 

Decir  de  repente. 

Dieron  ó  se  encontraron  los  guardas 

con  los  matadores. 
Di  tu  razón,  y  no  señales  autor. 
El  que  te  dice  la  copla,  ese  te  la 

hace  ó  te  sopla. 


More  properly  speaking. 

That  is  to  say  ;  that  means. 

To  say  or  do  admirable  things. 

To  pray  with  a  dying  person. 

Leave  the  priest  to  say  mass  (re- 
proach to  those  who  undertake 
what  they  cannot  do). 

You  will  have  to  atone  for  your  pres- 
ent ill  deeds. 

No  wonder  that  they  slander  me ; 
they  even  slander  God. 

To  use  injurious  language. 

The  pot  called  the  kettle  black. 

Say  no  ill  of  the  year  till  it  is  over. 

Out  of  the  fulness  of  the  heart  the 

mouth  speaketh. 
How  can  I  tell  ? 
What  does  that  mean  ? 
He  had  the  audacity  to  tell  me. 
To  say  again. 
Children  and  fools  speak  truth. 

It  is  saying  much. 

We  shall  see. 

I  said  in  my  sleeve. 

To  persist  stubbornly  in  a  matter  of 
little  importance. 

To  be  told,  or  to  hear. 

To  proclaim  ;  to  tell  abroad. 

He  chooses  to  say  that. 

To  speak  fluently  and  correctly. 

To  make  a  speech,  or  verses,  im- 
promptu. 

To  coalesce. 

Tell  the  deed,  but  not  who  did  it. 

An  insult  is  attributed  to  the  person 
who  offers  it.  although  he  may 
quote  the  words  of  another. 


63 


SPAÁ'ISII  IDIOMS. 


Dijo  el  escarabajo  á  sus  hijos  ¡  venid 

acá,  mis  flores  ! 
Muchas  gracias  no  se  pueden  decir 

con  pocas  palabras. 
Cual  digan  dueñas. 
Dicen  los  niños  en  el  solejar  lo  que 

oyen  á  sus  padres  en  el  hogar. 

Decir  que  no. 

Esto  lo  digo  para  gobierno  de  V. 

Por  mas  que  V.  diga. 

Quien   dice  mal  de  la  pera  ese  la 

lleva. 
Dícente    que    eres   bueno,   mete    la 

mano  en  tu  seno. 
Asno  lerdo,   tu  dirás  lo  tuyo  y  lo 

ajeno. 
Decir  de  ovillejo. 
Sin  decir  agua  va. 
El  vestido  del  criado  dice  quien  es 

su  amo. 
Boca  con  duelo,  no  dice  bueno. 

No  diga  la  boca  lo  que  pague  la 

coca. 
No  diga  la  lengua,  por  do  pague  la 

cabeza. 
Decir  sentencias  á  alguno. 
Decir  pesares. 
Declarar  la  guerra. 
La  calentura  declina. 
Defender  uno  su  capa,  ó  guardarla. 
Defender  alguna  cosa  ó  persona  á 

capa  y  espada. 
Degollar  algún  cuento. 
Dejar  ó  poner  cuadrado  á  uno. 
Dejar  á  uno  igualado. 

Dejar  a  uno  despachurrado. 
Dejarse  vencer. 


The  black  beetle  says  to  his  off- 
spring, Come  hither,  my  blossoms  ! 

Many  good  things  cannot  be  ex- 
pressed in  a  few  words. 

Very  much  insulted. 

Parents  should  be  careful  of  their 
words  and  actions,  which  are  sure 
to  be  imitated  by  their  children. 

To  give  a  flat  denial. 

I  say  this  for  your  guidance. 

You  may  say  what  you  will. 

To  depreciate  that  which  one  is  at 
the  same  time  trying  to  obtain. 

Know  thyself. 

Fools  never  keep  secrets. 

To  make  verses  extemporaneously. 
Without  warning. 

The  appearance  of  the  servant  indi- 
cates the  quality  of  the  master. 
He  who  is  offended,  does  not  speak 

well  of  his  offender. 
Refrain  from  saying  that  which  may 

injure  you. 
Let  not  the  tongue  utter  what  the 

head  must  pay  for. 
To  scold  and  abuse  a  person. 
To  scold  severely. 
To  declare  war. 
The  fever  diminishes. 
To  defend  one's  rights  or  property. 
To  defend  a  person   or  thing  with 

might  and  main. 
To  interrupt  impertinently. 
To  disclose  a  hostile  intent. 
To  leave  one  for  dead  after  giving 

him  a  severe  beating. 
To  leave  one  stupefied. 
To    acknowledge    one's    self    van- 

cjuished  ;  to  throw  up  the  sponge. 


SPAX/SII  IDIOMS. 


69 


Dejarse  decir. 

Dejar  fresco  á  alguno. 

Dejar  á  salvo  su  derecho. 
Dejar  á  uno  á  oscuras. 

No  dejar  á  sol,  ni  á  sombra. 

Dejar  á  uno  con   tantas   narices,   ó 

con  un  palmo  de  narices. 
Dejar  el  campo  abierto,  libre. 

No  dejar  soldado  con  vida. 

Déjese  V.  de  preámbulos,  y  diga  lo 

que  quiere. 
Dejarse  de  cuentos. 
No  dejar  criar  mucho. 
No  dejar  verde  ni  seco. 
No    dejar  ó  no    quedar  títere    con 

cabeza. 
No  dejar  ni  un  clavo  en  la  pared. 
No  dejar  piante,  ni  mamante. 

Dejar  freir  á  uno  en  su  aceite. 

Dejar  á  uno  en  la  calle,  ó  en  cueros. 
Dejar  á  uno  en  pelota. 
Dejar  á  uno  en  blanco. 

Dejar  á  uno  á  pié. 

Dejar  á  uno  en  la  pelaza. 
Dejar  á  uno  teniendo  el  cerro. 
Dejar  á  uno  pegado  á  la  pared. 

Dejar  ó  dejarse  en  el  tintero. 
Dejarse  caer. 

Dejarse  al  arbitrio  de  la  fortuna. 
Dejar  á  uno  á  la  luna. 

Dejar  sordo,  ó  mudo. 
Dejar  á  uno  despatarrado. 


'lo  divulge  a  thing  unintentionally. 
To  frustrate  ;   to  baffle  ;   to  abandon 

to  ridicule. 
To  reserve  one's  right  unimpaired. 
Not  to  grant  a  request ;  to  leave  one 

in  doubt. 
To  molest  a  person  constantly. 
To  frustrate  another's  hopes  or  plans. 

To  withdraw  from  a  pretension    or 

competition. 
To  give  no  quarter. 
Leave  off  beating  about  the  bush, 

and  say  what  you  want. 
To  come  to  the  point. 
Not  to  let  a  thing  be  idle,  or  rust. 
To  destroy  everything. 
To    destroy   everything ;    to    spare 

nothing. 
To  pillage  ;  to  strip  of  everything. 
To  leave  nothing ;  to  kill  or  destroy 

everything. 
To  leave  an  obstinate  person  to  his 

own  devices  without  argument. 
To  strip  one  of  his  all. 
To  strip  a  person. 
To  neglect  or  disappoint  a  person ; 

to  omit  anything. 
To  deprive  a  person  of  an  office  or 

employment. 
To  leave  one  in  the  lurch. 
To  disappoint  one. 
To    humiliate    one    profoundly ;     to 

disappoint. 
To  forget  or  omit  a  thing. 
To  give  up  in  despair. 
To  despair  ;  to  be  utterly  reckless. 
To   leave  a   service    suddenly,   and 

without  notice. 
To  strike  deaf  or  dumb. 
To  leave  one  astonished  or  abashed. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Dejar  á  un  lado. 

No  dejar  que  hablar. 
¡  Dejémonos  de  réplicas  ! 
No  le  ha  dejado  hueso  sano. 

No  dejar  meter  baza. 

Dejarse  llevar  de  alguna  persona. 

Dejar  entre  renglones,  ó  quedarse 
entre  renglones. 

Dejar  atrás. 

Dejar  atrás  los  vientos. 

Nos  dejó  sin  decir  tus  ni  mus. 

Dejarse  llevar  de  la  corriente. 

Dejar  dicho. 

Dejale  que  venga. 

No  dejar  roso  ni  velloso. 

No  se  deja  poner  la  albarda. 

No  dejes  para  mañana  lo  que  pue- 
das hacer  hoy. 

Al  buey  viejo  múdale  el  pesebre,  y 
dejará  el  pellego. 

Dejar  caer  alguna  cosa  en  la  conver- 
sación. 

Dejar  á  uno  con  la  miel  en  los  labios. 

Quien  de  los  suyos  se  aleja.  Dios  le 

deja. 
Dejarse  caer  el  calor. 
Dejar  correr  la  pluma. 

Dejar  á  alguno  hecho  un  matachín. 

Por  miedo  de  gorriones  no  se  dejan 

de  sembrar  cañamones. 
Dejar  á  uno  por  puertas. 
Dejar  el  siglo. 


To  pass  over  a  subject  in  conversa- 
tion. 

To  convince  any  one. 

No  reply,  if  you  please  ! 

He  did  not  leave  a  bone  whole  ;  to 
criticise  severely. 

Not  to  allow  one  to  slip  in  a  word. 

To  resign  one's  own  opinion  for  that 
of  another. 

To  pass  over  in  silence  ;  to  forget  a 
thing  which  ought  to  have  been 
said. 

To  excel ;  to  surpass. 

To  move  with  great  rapidity. 

He  took  French  leave. 

To  conform  to  usage  ;  to  follow  with- 
out consideration. 

To  leave  word,  or  orders. 

Let  him  come. 

To  leave  no  stone  unturned  to  in- 
sure success. 

Not  to  submit  to  an  injury. 

Never  leave  till  to-morrow  what  can 
be  done  to-day. 

Changes  of  climate  and  food  are 
fatal  to  the  old. 

To  make  a  remark  in  conversation 
with  seeming  carelessness. 

To  deprive  one  of  something  he  is 
just  beginning  to  enjoy. 

God  abandons  those  who  abandon 
their  families. 

To  be  very  warm. 

To  let  the  pen  run  on ;  to  write  at 
great  length. 

To  make  a  laughing-stock  of  a  per- 
son. 

One  must  not  be  discouraged  by 
difficulties. 

To  lose  another  person's  fortune. 

To  enter  on  a  relidous  life. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


71 


No  dejar  caer  en  el  suelo  alguna 
cosa,  ó  no  llegar  alguna  cosa  al 
suelo. 

No  dejarse  ensillar. 

Dejar  á  uno  la  espina  en  el  dedo. 

Dejar  en  paz  á  alguno. 

Dejar  á  uno  con  la  palabra  en  la 
boca. 

Á  la  burla  dejarla  cuando  mas  agra- 
da. 

Dejemos  padres  y  abuelos,  pero  no- 
sotros seamos  buenos. 

Cuando  la  criatura  dienta,  la  muerte 

la  tienta. 
Derramar  la  hacienda. 
Derramar  la  gente  de  guerra,  ó  de 

armas. 
Derramar  lágrimas. 
Derribar  con  un  dedo  á  alguno. 


Derribar  la  capa. 

Derramar  doctrina. 

Un  solo  golpe  no  derriba  un  roble. 

Desatar  la  cuestión,  ó  el  argumento. 

Dios  desavenga  á  quien  nos  man- 
tenga. 

De  la  mano  á  la  boca  desaparece  la 
sopa. 

Descabezar  el  sueño. 

Descabezarse  una  vena. 

Descalabrar  al  alguacil,  y  acojerse 
al  corregidor. 

Descalzarse  de  risa. 
Descalzarse  los  guantes. 
Descansar  sobre  las  armas. 
Descansar,  ó  dormir  en  el  Señor. 


Not  to  let  a  thing  pass  unnoticed. 


To  refuse  to  submit  to  authority. 
To  leave  a  malady  imjjerfectly  cured. 
To  leave  another  in  peace. 
To    turn    away  without   listening  to 

one  who  is  speaking. 
Leave  a  jest  when  it  pleases  you  best. 

Let  us  make  a  reputation  for  our- 
selves, rather  than  depend  on  that 
of  our  ancestors. 

When  the  child  cuts  its  teeth,  death 
is  on  the  watch. 

To  squander  one's  inheritance. 

To  disband  an  army. 

To  shed  tears. 

To  knock  a  person  down  with  a  ñn- 
ger  (exaggeration  of  strength  on 
one  side,  or  weakness  on  the 
other). 

To  let  the  cloak  drop  in  order  to 
facilitate  fighting. 

To  teach  or  preach  a  doctrine. 

One  stroke  will  not  fell  an  oak. 

To  solve  a  question,  or  problem. 

Some  persons  find  their  profit  in  the 
quarrels  of  others. 

There's  many  a  slip  'twixt  cup  and 
lip. 

To  take  a  nap. 

To  break  a  blood-vessel. 

To  escape  from  the  constable  and 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  magis- 
trate. 

To  laugh  boisterously. 

To  take  the  gloves  off. 

To  ground  arms  (mil.). 

To  die. 


72 


SPAlVISH  IDIOMS. 


Descargar  la  conciencia. 
Descargar  el  ánima  de  alguno. 
Descargar  la  burra. 

Descargar  la  mano  sobre  alguno. 
Descargar    la    cólera,    ó    la    ira    en 

alguno. 
Descargar  el  cielo. 
Descargar  golpes. 
Descomponérsele  á  uno  la  cabeza. 

El  ruin  buey  holgando  se  descuerna. 
Descoyuntarse,   ó   desternillarse    de 

risa. 
Descreer  de  Dios. 
Tu  dinero  mudo,  no  lo  descubras  á 

ninguno. 
Descubrir  el  campo. 

Descubrir  la  madera. 
Descubrir  la  veta. 

Descubrime   á   él  como    amigo,   y 

armóseme  comotestigo. 
Descubrir  la  veta. 

A  pecho  descubierto. 

Descubrir  su  pecho. 

En  todo  lo  descubierto. 

Descubrir  una  via  de  agua. 

Descubrir  la  tierra. 

Descubrir  la  quilla. 

No  descuidarse  en  el  rascar. 

La  tierra  le  desdeña. 
Desdoblar  la  hoja. 


Desempatar  un  negocio. 
Desempedrar  las  calles. 
Desencajarse  la  cara. 


To  fulfil  an  obligation ;  to  confess. 

To  execute  a  person's  will. 

To    shirk    one's   own   share    of  the 

work. 
To  punish  a  person. 
To  vent  one's  anger  upon  a  person. 

To  rain. 

To  strike  a  person. 

To  feel  giddiness  or  disturbance  in 

the  head. 
You  weary  very  easily  (ironical). 
To  laugh  excessively. 

To  disbelieve  in  God. 

Do  not  show  your  hoarded  money 
to  any  one. 

To  reconnoitre  ;  to  sound  a  person 
for  information. 

To  show  any  unknown  vice  or  defect. 

To  discover  one's  sentiments  or  de- 
signs. 

Be  cautious  in  telling  your  secrets. 

To  make  known  one's  sentiments  or 
designs. 

Unarmed ;  without  defence. 

To  unbosom  one's  self  to  another. 

In  all  the  known  world. 

To  discover  a  leak. 

To  make  the  land  (nau.). 

To  heave  down  a  ship  (nau.). 

Not  to  miss  an  opportunity  of  doing 
what  one  likes.      ' 

He  is  universally  despised. 

To  resume  a  speech  or  conversation 
which  had  been  purposely  inter- 
rupted. 

To  disentangle  a  business. 

To  fre(]uent  the  streets. 

The  face  becomes  distorted. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Desencapotarse  el  cielo. 
Desencapotar  los  ojos. 

Desencapotar  las  orejas. 

Desenclavijar  la  mano. 

Desendiablarse. 

Desenterrar  los  huesos  de  alguno. 

Desenterrar  los  muertos. 

Desflorar  algún  asunto. 

Desgajarse  el  cielo. 

Deshacer  un  yerro. 

Deshacerse  como  el  humo. 

Deshacerse  en  lágrimas. 

Deshacerse  de  una  cosa. 

Deshacer  agravios. 

Deshacer  la  vuelta,  ó  media  vuelta. 

Deshacerse   alguna   cosa   entre    las 

manos. 
Deshacer  entuertos. 
No  se  deslomará. 

Desnatar  la  hacienda. 
Desnudar  la  voz. 
Desnudar  la  espada. 
Desollar  la  zorra,  ó  el  lobo ;  ó  dor- 
mir la  zorra. 
Despabilar  el  ingenio. 
Despabilar  los  ojos. 
V.  le  verá  despabilarse. 
Despachurrar  el  cuento. 

¡  Dios  te  la  depare  buena  ! 

Despedazarse  de  risa. 
Despejarse  el  cielo,  ó  el  tiempo. 
No  despintársele  á  uno  algima  per- 
sona. 
Desplegar  la  boca,  los  labios. 
Desprenderse  de  alguna  cosa. 
Despuntar  el  dia. 


l'o  rain. 

To  cease  to  frown,  and  look  pleas- 
ant. 

To  point  or  erect  the  ears  'said  of 
animals) . 

To  lose  one's  grip. 

To  moderate  one's  fury  or  passion. 

To  disclose  unpleasant  family  secrets. 

To  slander  the  dead. 

To  treat  an  affair  superficially. 

To  rain  excessively. 

To  correct  a  fault  or  mistake. 

To  vanish  like  smoke. 

To  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears. 

To  give  a  thing  away. 

To  avenge  or  redress  wrongs. 

To  reverse  the  movement. 

To  slip  through  the  fingers. 

To  redress  injuries  or  wrongs. 
He   is   sure   not    to   overwork   him- 
self. 
To  live  on  the  fat  of  the  land. 
To  articulate  freely  and  clearly. 
To  draw  the  sword. 
To  sleep  while  intoxicated. 

To  sharpen  the  wit. 

To  keep  a  sharp  lookout. 

You  will  see  him  brighten  up. 

To  interrupt  a  story  and  prevent  its 

conclusion. 
May  you  be  successful  !   (implying 

doubt  as  to  the  result). 
To  laugh  excessively. 
The  sky,  or  weather,  clears. 
Not  to  forget  a  person's  appearance. 

To  talk. 

To  give  a  thing  away. 

To  dawn. 


74 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Quien  destaja  no  baraja. 

Desterrar  del  mundo. 

Destrabar  la  lengua. 

Destripar  una  botella. 

En  un  soplo  se  desvanecieron  todas 

sus  ilusiones. 
El  viejo  desvergonzado  hace  al  niño 

osado. 

Detenerse  en  repulgos  de  empanada. 
Devanar  las  tripas,  ó  rallar  las  tripas. 
Devanarse  los  sesos. 
Dilatar  el  ánimo. 

Dirigir  la  conversación  á  alguno. 

i  Quien  tal  discurriera  ! 
Ahora  disfruta  sus  tareas. 

Disparar  á  quema  ropa. 
Disparar  coces. 
Disponer  sus  cosas. 
Disponer  las  velas  al  viento. 
Mientras    disputan    los    galgos,    se 

come  el  lobo  la  oveja. 
Á  la  primera  azadonada  diste  en  el 

agua. 
Distinguir  de  colores. 
Doblar  la  calle,  ó  la  esquina. 

Doblemos  la  hoja. 

Doblar  a  uno  á  palos. 
Doblar  la  punta,  el  cabo. 


He  who  binds  {i.e.,  stipulates)  does 
not  wrangle.^ 

To  be  banished  from  the  world,  from 
society. 

To  loose  a  person's  tongue  ;  to  re- 
move an  impediment  to  speech. 

To  crack  a  bottle. 

In  an  instant  all  his  illusions  van- 
ished. 

If  old  people  would  have  respect 
from  the  young,  they  must  de- 
serve it. 

To  waste  time  over  trifles. 

To  importune  impertinently  ;  to  vex. 

To  cudgel  one's  brains. 

To  find  relief  in  sorrow,  through 
hope  or  resignation. 

To  address  one's  conversation  espe- 
cially to  one  person. 

Who  could  imagine  such  a  thing  ! 

Now  he  enjoys  the  fruit  of  his  la- 
bors. 

To  fire  point-blank. 

To  kick. 

To  make  a  will. 

To  trim  the  sails  to  the  wind  (nau.). 

While  the  hounds  dispute,  the  wolf 
eats  the  sheep. 

To  succeed  without  labor. 

To  have  a  clear  judgment. 

To  turn  the  corner  from  one  street 

to  another. 
No  more    of  that ;    let  us    change 

the  subject. 
To  cudgel  a  person. 
To  round  or  double  a  cape  (nau.). 


^  "  Always  incorrectly  translated  '  He  who  cuts  does  not  shuffle.'  Barajar  means  to 
shuffle  cards,  but  in  the  proverb  it  is  used  in  a  sense  now  obsolete."  —  Don  Quixote,  trans- 
lated by  John  Ormsby.     London,  1885,  vol.  4,  p.  376. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Al  buen  pagador  no  le  duelen  pren- 
das. 

Cuando  la  cabeza  duele,  todos  los 
miembros  duelen. 

Dolerle  á  uno  la  cabeza. 

El  hueso  y  la  carne  duélense  de  su 

sangre. 
No  duelen  prendas. 

El  golpe   de    la  sartén,  aunque   no 

duele  tizna. 
El  potro  primero  de  otro,  ó  dómele 

otro. 
Dormir   con    cortinas    verdes,    ó   al 

sereno. 
Duerme   Juan   y  yace,  que   tu  asno 

pace. 
Camarón    que    se    duerme,   la    cor- 
riente lo  lleva. 
Quien  mucho  duerme  poco  aprende. 
No  dormirse  en  las  pajas,  ó  en   la 

ceniza. 
Dormir  la  siesta. 
Dormir  á  pierna  suelta. 
Dormirse  un  negocio. 
Dormiréis    sobre     ello,    y    tomareis 

acuerdo. 
Dormir  sobre  un  asunto,  ó  negocio. 

No  dormir  sueño. 

Duerme  á  quien  duele,  y  no  duerme 

quien  algo  debe. 
Dormirse,  dormirse,  buenas   nuevas 

hallarse. 
A,  ó  entre,  duerme  y  vela. 
Dormirse  en  algún  negocio. 
Cuando  la  mala  ventura  se  duerme, 

nadie  la  despierte. 
Dormir  como  una  piedra. 
Quien  enemigos  tiene  no  duerma. 


An  honest  debtor  sacrifices  ail  in 
order  to  pay  his  debts. 

When  the  head  aches,  all  the  mem- 
bers ache  with  it. 

To  be  in  danger  of  losing  one's 
authority. 

The  bones  and  the  flesh  suffer  with 
the  blood. 

Not  to  mind  expenses  in  an  entcr- 
jjrise. 

Slander,  although  known  as  such, 
leaves  a  stain  on  the  reputation. 

In  emergencies  we  must  avail  our- 
selves of  the  experience  of  others. 

To  sleep  in  the  open  fields. 

He  who  has  done  his  duty  may  rest 
at  ease. 

The  shrimp  that  sleeps  is  carried 
away  by  the  stream. 

The  indolent  make  little  headway. 

To  be  very  vigilant ;  to  profit  by  the 
occasion. 

To  take  an  afternoon  nap. 

To  sleep  carelessly,  at  ease. 

To  be  at  a  stand-still. 

Think  well  before  taking  a  resolu- 
tion. 

To  take  time  to  consider  a  subject 
well. 

To  be  watchful,  sleepless. 

Honest  men  grieve  over  a  debt 
more  than  over  bodily  pain. 

Lazily  expecting  success. 

Between  sleeping  and  waking. 

Not  to  take  proper  care  of  an  affair. 

When  ill  luck  falls  asleep,  let  no  one 

wake  her. 
To  sleep  like  a  top. 
One  who  has  enemies  should  always 

be  on  his  guard. 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Dormir  en  Dios. 

No  dormirse  en  las  pajas. 

El  que  no  duda,  no  sabe  cosa  alguna. 

Echar  el  cuerpo  atrás. 

Echarse  con  las  petacas. 

Echar  el  sello. 

Echar  coche. 

Echar  en  saco  roto. 

Echar  agua  en  el  mar. 

Echar  carne  ó  verdura. 

Echar  raices. 

Echar  de  menos  alguna  cosa. 

Á  la  vasija  nueva  dúrale  el  resabio 

de  lo  que  se  echó  en  ella. 
La   culpa   del    asno,    echarla    á    la 

albarda. 
La  culpa  del  asno  no  se  ha  de  echar 

á  la  albarda. 
Echar  la  tijera. 
Echar,  ó  tirar,  lineas. 

Echar  sobre  las  espaldas  de  algimo. 

Echar  el  cascabel  á  uno. 

Cuando  la  barba  de  tu  vecino  vieres 

pelar,  echa  la  tuya  en  remojo,  ó  á 

remojar. 
Hoy  es  dia  de  echad  aqui  tia. 
Echar  su  cuarto  á  espadas. 
Echarle  una  calza  á  uno. 

Echar  por  el  medio. 


Echarse  al  hombro  alguna  cosa. 

Echar  una  gallina. 

No  echarse  nada  en  la  bolsa. 

Echarse  á  nado. 


To  sleep,  or  rest,  in  God. 

To  be  watchful  to  improve  opportu- 
nities. 

Doubt  nothing,  know  nothing. 

To  lean  backward. 

To  abandon  a  matter  negligently. 

To  give  the  finishing  touch. 

To  set  up  a  carriage. 

To  be  heedless  of  advice. 

To  bring  coals  to  Newcastle. 

To  serve  another  to  meat  or  vege- 
tables. 

To  take  root. 

To  miss  something. 

The  bad  habits  acquired  in  tender 
years  are  rarely  lost  in  old  age. 

The  ass  throws  the  blame  on  the 
pack-saddle. 

The  fault  of  the  ass  should  not  be 
laid  on  the  pack-saddle. 

To  begin  to  cut  with  scissors. 

To  devise  the  means  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  a  purpose. 

To  shift  the  responsibility  on  to  an- 
other's shoulders. 

To  throw  one's  burdens  on  another. 

We  must  take  warning  by  the  ex- 
perience of  others. 

Sometimes  one  must  spend  lavishly. 

To  meddle  ;  to  intrude. 

To  observ'e  a  person  in  order  to 
avoid  him  in  future. 

To  take  unusual  means  to  escape 
from  a  difficulty  ;  or  to  abandon 
one's  self  to  dissipation. 

To  become  responsible  for  a  thing. 

To  set  a  hen. 

Not  to  desire  benefit  from  an  enter- 
prise. 

To  hazard  ;  to  undertake  boldly. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


77 


Echar  margaritas  á  puercos. 

Echar  ó  hundir  de  cabeza  las  vides 

y  otras  plantas. 
Echar  á  uno  la  pierna  encima. 
Echar  piernas. 

Echarse  con  la  carga. 
Echar  la  carga  de  si. 

Echar  á  alguno  una  ese  y  un  clavo. 

Echar  un  clavo  á  la  rueda  de  la  for- 
tuna. 
Echar  la  regla. 

Echar  buena  pluma. 

Echar  á  un  lado. 

Tres  cosas  echan  de  su  casa  al  hom- 
bre, el  humo,  la  gotera  y  la  mujer 
vocinglera. 

Echar  al  mundo. 

Echarse  al  mundo. 

Echar  el  guante. 

Echar  un  guante. 

Echar  ó  arrojar  el  guante. 

Echar  al  hijo. 

Echar  pelillos  á  la  mar. 

Año  lluvioso,  échate  de  codo. 

Echar  una  vista. 
Echar  el  agua  al  niño. 
Echar  á  las  espaldas. 
Echar  ó  echarse  un  trago. 
Echar  china. 
Echarse  á  pechos. 
Echar  el  pecho  al  agua. 
Echar  la  espuela. 
Echarse  por  los  suelos. 


To  throw  pearls  before  swine. 

To  lay  down  the  twigs  of  a  tree  or 
plant  for  propagation. 

To  surpass  or  outshine  a  j)erson. 

To  boast  of  beauty  or  valor  ;  to  con- 
valesce. 

To  abandon  everything  in  despair. 

To  rid  one's  self  of  a  care,  impost, 
or  tax. 

To  make  a  person  grateful  by  doing 
him  a  great  favor. 

To  secure  happiness  by  making  a 
fortune. 

To  prove  correctness  by  measure- 
ment. 

To  begin  to  grow  rich. 

To  finish  a  business. 

Three  things  drive  a  man  from  his 
home  :  a  smoking  chimney,  a  leak- 
ing roof,  and  a  talkative  wife. 

To  create. 

To  plunge  into  dissipation. 

To  catch  ;  to  lay  hold  of  with  the 
hand  ;  to  arrest. 

To  make  a  collection  of  money. 

To  throw  down  the  glove ;  to  chal- 
lenge. 

To  abandon  a  child. 

Not  to  bear  malice ;  to  become 
reconciled. 

In  a  rainy  year  the  farmer  is  neces- 
sarily idle. 

To  look  after. 

To  baptize  a  child. 

To  neglect  ;  to  abandon. 

To  drink  ;  to  take  a  dram. 

To  keep  a  score  in  a  bar-room. 

To  drink  greedily  and  copiously. 

To  undertake  a  thing  resolutely. 

To  take  the  stirrup-cup. 

To  stretch  one's  self  on  the  ground. 


78 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Echar  plantillas  á  los  zapatos. 

Echar  en  remojo. 

Echarse  al  mundo. 

Las  plantas  echan  flores,  frutos. 

El  hambre  echa  al  lobo  del  monte. 

Hoy  echan  la  comedia  nueva. 

Echar  el  cordel. 
Echar  el  cartabón. 
Se  echó  á  corredor. 
Echar  buen  ó  mal  lance. 
Echar  la  lanza. 

Echar  lanzas  en  la  mar. 
Echar  en  olvido,  ó  al  olvido. 
Echar  en  remojo. 
Echar  de  baranda. 

Echar   por   mayor,    por   arrobas,   ó 

quintales. 
Echar  el  pié  atrás  á  alguno. 
Echar  el  pié  atrás. 
Echar  el  pié  adelante,  ó  atrás. 
Echar  toda  el  agua. 
Echar  la  capa  el  toro. 
Échese,  y  no  se  derrame. 
Echarse  á  reir. 
Echar  á  correr. 
Echar  las  bulas  á  uno. 
No  echo  de  ver  el  defecto. 
Echar  los  bofes,  ó  la  hiél. 
Echar  el  bofe,  ó  los  bofes. 

Echar  los  hígados. 

Echar  los  hígados  por  alguna  cosa. 

Echar  por  los  campos. 

Echar  la  cerradura. 

Echar  por  alto  alguna  cosa. 

Echar  por  una  profesión. 


To  have  shoes  soled. 

To  prepare  quietly  for  success. 

To  throw  one's  self  away. 

Plants  bear  flowers,  fruits. 

Hunger  will  break  through  stone 
walls. 

They  perform  the  new  comedy  to- 
day. 

To  make  a  line  with  a  chalked  cord. 

To  adopt  measures  for  a  desired  end. 

He  became  a  broker. 

To  succeed  or  fail  in  an  enterprise. 

To  impugn  ;  to  contradict ;  to  dis- 
trust an  assertion. 

To  labor  in  vain. 

To  forget. 

To  prepare  quietly  for  success. 

To  exaggerate ;  to  extol  hyperboli- 
cally. 

To  exaggerate. 

To  outdo  any  one. 

To  flinch. 

To  advance,  or  to  retrograde. 

To  do  one's  best  to  get  something. 

To  expose  one's  self  to  danger. 

Spend  without  extravagance. 

To  burst  out  laughing. 

To  start  off  running. 

To  impose  a  troublesome  duty. 

I  do  not  perceive  the  defect. 

To  labor  excessively. 

To  be  very  anxious  ;  to  strain  one's 
lungs. 

To  be  very  much  fatigued. 

To  desire  a  thing  anxiously. 

To  set  out  across  the  ñelds. 

To  refuse. 

To  forget ;  to  pass  a  thing  contemp- 
tuously. 

To  adopt  a  profession. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


79 


Echar  bando. 

Echar  tributos. 

Echar  el  fallo. 

Echar  á  galeras,  ó  al  remo. 

Echar  la  ley  á  uno. 

Echar  á  presidio. 
Echar  el  cuerpo  fuera. 

Quien   echa  agua  en  la  garrafa  de 
golpe,  mas  derrama  que  ella  coge. 
Echar  carnes. 
Echar  barriga. 
Echar  carrillos. 
Echarse  á  pechos. 
Echar  v-ersos. 
Echarla  de  poeta. 

Echar  cata. 

Echarse  á  cuestas  algo. 

Echar  un  ojeo. 

Echar  un  remiendo  á  la  vida. 

Echar  el  cerrojo. 

Echar  llave  á  la  puerta. 

Fuera  del  peligro  se  echa  á  Dios  al 

olvido. 
Echar  cartas. 

Echar  suertes  ;  ó  cédulas  ;  ó  pajas. 
Echar  á  la  buena  barba. 

Echar  cabras  á  las  cabras. 

Echar  á  trompa  y  talega. 
Echar  coplas  de  repente. 
Echarse  de  cuesta. 
Me  echo  á  dormir. 
Echarse  á  dormir. 
Echar  al  coleto. 
Echar  ae  ver. 


To  publish  a  law. 

To  impose  taxes. 

To  pass  judgment  or  sentence. 

To  sentence  to  the  galleys. 

To  judge  or  condemn  with  the  ut- 
most rigor  of  the  law. 

To  throw  a  person  into  prison. 

To  abscond  ;  to  withdraw  from  an 
affair. 

Most  haste,  worst  speed. 

To  become  fat. 

To  become  corpulent. 

To  grow  fat  in  the  cheeks. 

To  take  upon  one's  self. 

To  improvise  verses. 

To  dabble  in  poetry ;  to  be  a  poet- 
aster. 

To  make  careful  inquiry. 

To  take  anything  upon  one's  self. 

To  start  game,  and  drive  it  toward 
the  sportsman. 

To  take  a  slight  refreshment  (food) 
between  meals. 

To  bolt  (the  door). 

To  lock  the  door. 

The  danger  past,  God  is  forgotten. 

To  deal  cards. 

To  cast  lots. 

To  toss  up  to  determine  who  shall 

pay. 
To  determine  by  lot  who  shall  pay 

the  score  for  several  persons. 
To  talk  nonsense. 
To  talk  nonsense. 
To  lie  down. 
I  went  to  sleep. 
To  aoandon  a  tiling. 
To  eat  or  swallow. 
To  notice. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Echar  ó  soltar  el  cascabel. 
Echar  á  uno  el  cascabel. 

Echar  ó  poner  garbanzos  á  alguno. 
Echar  en  corro. 

Echar  saetas. 

Echar  por  otra  parte. 

Echar   una   cosa   á   buena   ó  mala 

parte. 
Echar  voz  á  la  voz ;  ó  echar  fama. 
Echar  á  chacota. 
Echar  á  juego  una  cosa. 

Echar  ó   poner  candado  á  los   la- 
bios. 
Echar  la  clave. 
Echar  coplas  de  repente. 
Echar  por  esos  trigos. 
Echar  á  mal. 
Echarse  con  las  guias  y  todo. 

Echar  calabaza  á  alguno. 
Echar  la  plática  á  otra  parte. 
Echar  un  jarro  de  agua  á  una  pro- 
posición ó  asunto. 
Echar  á  vuelo  las  campanas. 
Echar  en  sal. 
Echar  un  badal  á  la  boca. 
Echar  la  bolina. 
Echar  baladronadas  ó  bravatas. 
Echarla  de  majo. 
Echar  bocanadas  de  sangre  azul. 
Échele  V.  guindas  á  la  tarasca. 

Echar  las  puertas  abajo. 

Echar  á  las  barbas. 

Echar  en  cara  un   favor  es  un 

insulto. 
Echar  una  cosa  á  palacio. 


To  hint. 

To  evade  one's  duty  by  throwing  it 
upon  another. 

To  make  an  irritating  insinuation. 

To  throw  out  a  suggestion  in  order 
to  observe  its  effect. 

To  evince  agitation  by  words  or  ges- 
tures. 

To  differ  in  opinion  from  another. 

To  take  a  thing  in  good  or  bad  part. 

To  spread  a  rumor. 

To  carry  off  with  a  joke. 

To  misconstrue  ;  to  take  something 

jestingly. 
To  keep  silence  ;  to  keep  a  secret. 

To  close  a  speech  or  an  affair. 

To  speak  without  reflection. 

To  speak  without  thinking. 

To  misconstrue  a  word. 

To  insult,  a  person  without  giving 
him  an  opportunity  to  reply. 

Not  to  answer  a  question. 

To  cut  short  the  conversation. 

To  throw  a  wet  blanket  on  a  pro- 
posal or  subject. 

To  ring  the  bells. 

To  reserve  for  another  occasion. 

To  stop  one's  mouth. 

To  make  idle  boasts. 

To  boast ;  to  brag. 

To  swagger  ;  to  be  ostentatious. 

To  boast  of  one's  noble  connections. 

What  you  say  is  devoid  of  common 
sense. 

To  knock  rudely  at  a  door. 

To  reproach  or  taunt  a  person. 

To  taunt  one  with  a  favor  makes  it 
an  insult. 

To  show  contempt  for  an  insult. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


81 


Echar  una  albarda  á  alguno. 

Echarlo  á  doce. 

Echarle  á  uno  la  garra. 

Echarse  el  alma  á  las  espaldas,  ó 

atrás. 
Echar  traspiés. 

Echarlo  todo  á  trece. 

Echar  una  losa  ;   ó  poner  una  losa 

encima. 
Echar  una  losa  sobre  el  corazón. 

Echar  coplas  á  alguno. 

Echar  la  culpa  á  alguno. 
Echar  la  culpa  á  otro. 

Echar  las  cabras,  ó  la  carga  á  otro. 
Echarse  una  piedra  en  la  manga. 

Echar  á  alguno  los  gigantones. 
Echar  en  cara,  ó  á  la  cara,  ó  a  las 

barbas. 
Echarle  á  uno  el  caballo  de  cara. 
Echar  de  vicio. 
Echar  roncas. 

Echar  la  pulga  tras  de  la  oreja. 
Echarse  en  el  surco. 

Echar  espumarajos  por  la  boca. 
Echar  un  chafarinón. 

Echarse  un  borrón. 

Echar  á  paseo. 

Echar  con  cajas  destempladas  ó  en 

hora  mala. 
Echar  á  uno  de  la  casa. 


To  try  a  person's  patience  unreason- 
ably. 

To  make  a  disturbance  in  order  to 
prevent  a  recurrence  to  a  subject. 

To  grasp  or  seize  a  person. 

To  act  without  scruple  or  conscience. 

To  supplant  by  artifice  ;  to  live  by 

tricks. 
To  pretend  anger  in  order  to  carry 

one's  point. 
To  promise  to  keep  a  secret. 

To  give  a  person  cause  for  great  sor- 
row or  grief. 

To  malign  a  person  ;  to  wound  his 
pride. 

To  accuse  a  person  of  a  fault. 

To  throw  the  blame  of  one's  own 
fault  upon  another. 

To  throw  the  blame  upon  another. 

To  reproach  another  for  a  fault  such 
as  we  ourselves  commit. 

To  blame  severely. 

To  reproach,  taunt,  upbraid. 

To  upbraid  roughly. 

To  speak  impudently. 

To  threaten  or  menace ;  to  be 
hoarse. 

To  make  a  person  uneasy. 

To  become  neglectful  of  one's  du- 
ties ;  lost  to  shame. 

To  foam  at  the  mouth  with  passion. 

To  disgrace  one's  family  by  a  dis- 
honorable action. 

To  disgrace  one's  self. 

To  dismiss  a  person  contemptuously. 

To  dismiss  one  roughly,  contemp- 
tuously. 

To  turn  a  person  out  of  doors. 


82 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Echar  á  pasear. 

Echar  á  alguno  á  patadas. 

Echar  cantoc. 

Echar  la  soga  tras  el  caldero. 

Echar  maldiciones  ó  bendiciones. 

Lo  echó  todo  á  perder. 

Echar  la  bribia. 

Echar  por  las  de  Pavia. 

Echar  de  manga. 

Echar  la  bendición. 

Echar  ó  envidar  el  resto. 

Echar  tierra  á  alguna  cosa. 

Echar  abajo,   en  tierra,  por  tierra, 

por  el  suelo. 
Echarle  una  calza  á  alguno. 

Echar  el  alma  á  las  espaldas. 

Echar  verbos  ó  tacos. 
Echar  ternos  ó  tacos. 
Se  fué  echando  ajos  y  cebollas. 
Echar  la  confusión  á  alguno. 
Echar  chispas. 

Se  marcharon  echando  chispas. 
Echando  chispas. 
Echar  venablos. 

Echar  rayos  ó  centellas. 
Echar  el  hatillo  al  mar. 
Echar  sapos  y  culebras. 

Echar  la  capa  al  toro. 

Echar  fuego. 

Echar,  ó  poner  leña  al  fuego. 

Echar  fuego  por  los  ojos. 

Echar  aceite  sobre  la  lumbre  para 

apargarla. 
Echar  aceite  al  fuego,  ó  en  el  fuego. 


To  send  one  about  his  business. 

To  kick  a  person  out. 

To  be  mad. 

To  throw  the  helve  after  the  hatchet. 

To  curse  or  bless  a  person. 

He  spoiled  all. 

To  go  begging. 

To  answer  indignantly. 

To  make  a  cat's  paw  of  any  one. 

To  stop  interfering. 

To  bet  everything  one  has  on  the 

table  (gambling). 
To  bury  an  affair  in  oblivion. 
To  throw  down  ;  to  destroy. 

To  point  out  a  person  to  be 
guarded  against. 

To  be  deaf  to  the  voice  of  con- 
science. 

To  swear ;  to  speak  in  a  great  rage. 

To  swear  excessively. 

He  went  off  swearing. 

To  curse  a  person. 

To  be  very  angry ;  violent  in  word 
and  manner. 

He  went  away,  looking  daggers. 

With  great  speed. 

To  break  out  into  violent  expressions 
of  anger. 

To  be  enraged. 

To  get  angry ;  to  vex  one's  self. 

To  be  extremely  angry  ;  to  be  beside 
one's  self. 

To  expose  one's  self  to  a  great  dan- 
ger, for  a  purpose. 

To  be  the  cause  of  a  dispute. 

To  foment  discord. 

To  flash  fire  from  the  eyes  in  rage. 

To  stir  up  contentions. 

To  add  fuel  to  flame ;  to  foment 
quarrels. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


83 


Echar  la  zarpa. 

El  viento  se  echa. 

Echar  una  embarcación  al  agua. 

Echar  ancla. 

Echarse  sobre  áncora. 

Echamos  doce  nudos  por  hora. 

Echar  la  corredera. 

Echar  toda  la  vela. 

Echar  en  tierra. 

Echar  á  fondo. 

Echar  á  pique. 

Edificar  sobre  la  arena. 

Ejecutar  guerra. 

Embarcarse  con  poco  bizcocho. 

Embargarse  de  su  palabra. 

Embestir  como  dogos. 

Sopa  en  vino  no  emborracha,  pero 

agacha,  ó  arrima  á  las  paredes. 
Emborracharse  de    cólera,  ó  tomar 

cólera. 
La  mina  se  ha  emborrascado. 

Emparejar  una  ventana. 

Empeñar  á  uno  en  alguna  cosa. 

La  infantería  empeña  la  batalla. 

Empeñarse  en  algo. 

Empeñarse  por  alguno. 

Empeñar  la  palabra. 

Empeñarse. 

Obra  empezada,  medio  acabada. 

La  caridad  bien  ordenada  empieza 

en  casa. 
Emplear  su  cornadillo. 

El  prometer  no  empobrece. 
Encajar  la  suya. 
Encajar  bien. 

Encajar  las  manos. 


To  gripe  ;  to  claw. 

The  wind  fails  (nau.). 

To  launch  a  ship  (nau.). 

To  cast  anchor  (nau.). 

To  drag  the  anchor  (nau.). 

We  made  twelve  knots  an  hour  (nau. ) . 

To  heave  the  log  (nau.). 

To  crbwd  all  sail  (nau.). 

To  disembark  (nau.). 

To  sink  a  vessel  (nau.). 

To  sink  a  ship  (nau.). 

To  build  upon  the  sand. 

To  make  war. 

To  embark  on  an  enterprise  without 
sufficient  precaution. 

To  break  one's  promise. 

To  attack  with  rage. 

Effects  follow  causes  whether  ac- 
knowledged or  not. 

To  become  enraged. 

The  mine  has  ceased  to  yield  pay- 
ore. 

To  partly  close  a  window ;  to  set  it 
ajar. 

To  act  the  part  of  a  mediator. 

The  infantry  began  the  battle. 

To  undertake  a  thing  eagerly. 

To  recommend  any  one. 

To  bind  one's  self  to  a  contract. 

To  run  into  debt. 

Well  begun  is  half  done. 

Charity  begins  at  home. 

To   attain   one's   end   by  unworthy 

means. 
Promises  do  not  impoverish. 
To  avail  one's  self  of  an  opportunity. 
To  be  to  the  purpose  ;  to  ccme  to 

the  point. 
To  join  or  shake  hands. 


84 


SPA.VISH  IDIOMS. 


Encapillarse  el  agiia. 
Encapotar  el  rostro. 
Encogerse  de  hombros. 
Encomendar  las  ovejas  al  lobo. 
Encomendar  á  la  memoria. 
Sin  encomendarse  á  Dios,  ni  al  dia- 
blo. 
Encomendarse  á  buen  santo. 

Encontrarse  con  los  pensamientos. 

Lo  encuentro  malo. 
Encontrar  ó  hallar  la  piedra  filoso- 
fal. 
Encontrar  Sancho  con  su  rocin. 
Peine  encordado,  cabello  enhebrado. 
Buena  fama,  hurto  encubre. 
Barro  y  cal  encubre  mucho  mal. 

Enderezar  tuertos,  ó  entuertos. 

Enderezar  el  genio. 

Es   capaz  de  endilgarse  por  el  ojo 

de  una  aguja. 
Endosar  un  vale. 
Enfadarse  por  nada. 
Agua  no  enferma,  ni   embeoda,  ni 

adeuda. 
Quien  de  locura  enfermó,  tarde  sanó. 

Engañar  el  tiempo. 

Quien  te  engañó  te  engañará,  y  si 

repite  bien  te  estará. 
Quien  al  diablo  ha  de  engañar,  de 

mañana  se  ha  de  levantar. 
Quien   la   raposa    ha    de    engañar, 

cúmplele  madrugar. 
Enganchar  la  gata  en  el  ancla. 
El  ojo  del  amo  engorda  el  caballo. 

Quien  viejo  engorda,  dos  mocedades 
goza. 


To  ship  a  head  sea  (ñau.). 

To  frown. 

To  shrug  the  shoulders. 

To  set  the  wolf  to  guard  the  sheep. 

To  commit  to  memory. 

Imprudently ;  rashly. 

To  seek  a  good  protector ;  to  suc- 
ceed beyond  one's  hopes. 

Simultaneous  occurrence  of  the  same 
thought  to  two  persons. 

I  disapprove  of  it. 

To  find  the  philosopher's  stone. 

To  meet  another  like  ourselves. 
Well  begun  is  half  done. 
A  good  name  covers  many  sins. 
Stucco  and  whitewash   cover  many 

defects. 
To  repair  wrongs  or  injuries. 
To  subdue  a  bad  temper. 
He  can  creep  through  the  eye  of  a 

needle. 
To  endorse  a  bill. 
To  be  vexed  by  trifles. 
Water  is  neither  unwholesome,  intox- 
icating, nor  expensive. 
He  who  fell  ill  of  folly  was  long  in 

getting  cured. 
To  kill  time. 
If  a  man  deceives  you  once,  shame 

on  him  ;  if  twice,  shame  on  you. 
He  who  would  cheat  the  devil  must 

rise  betimes. 
He  who  would  cheat  the  fox  must 

rise  early. 
To  hook  the  cat  (nau.). 
The  eye  of  the   master  fattens    the 

horse. 
Old  people  who  are  cheery  and  fat 

seem  young  again. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


85 


Gato  enguantado  no  caza  ratones. 
Enmendar  la  plana. 

Ensanchar  el  cuajo. 

Ensanchar  el  corazón. 

Quien  se  ensaña  en  la  boda,  piérdela 

toda. 
Enseñar  ó  sacar  la  pata,  ó  sacar  su 

pata. 
Enseñar  á  uno  la  puerta  de  la  calle. 
x^un  no  ensillamos  y  ya  cabalgamos. 

Ensortijar  las  manos. 

La  mas  ruin  oveja  se  ensucia  en  la 

colodra, 
j  Dios  me  entiende  ! 
No  entiendo  palabra. 
No  entender  la  música. 

Entenderse  en  coplas. 

Á  mi  entender. 

Eso  no  se  entiende  conmigo. 

Entenderse  alguno. 

No  lo  entenderá  Galvan. 
Entendérsele  á  uno  alguna  cosa. 
No  entiendo  nada  de,  ó  en,  eso. 
Lo  mismo  se  debe  entender  esto. 

Entenderse  con  algiuio. 

Ya  te  entiendo. 

Entenderse  dos. 

Yo  entiendo  que  seria  mejor. 

Quien  con  tosco  ha   de   entender, 

mucho  seso  ha  menester. 
Pedro  no  entiende  una  jota  de  eso. 

No  entender  abecé. 
Dar  en  que  entender. 


A  cat  in  mittens  seldom  catches  a  rat. 

To  rectify  a  mistake  ;  to  outdo  a  per- 
son. 

To  solace  one's  self  by  weeping. 

To  cheer  up  ;  to  unburden  the  mind. 

If  there  must  be  disputes,  at  least 
keep  them  private. 

To  show  one's  fault  inadvertently. 

To  turn  a  person  out  of  the  house. 

Pretending  to  attain  an  object  with- 
out using  the  proper  means. 

To  wring  the  hands  in  grief. 

The  most  useless  people  may  do 
harm. 

God  is  my  witness  !     God  knows  ! 

I  do  not  understand  at  all. 

To  pretend  to  misunderstand  an  un- 
pleasant remark. 

To  return  insult  for  insult ;  to  repay 
in  the  same  coin. 

In  my  opinion,  or  judgment. 

That  is  no  affair  of  mine. 

To  have  private  reasons  for  what  one 
does. 

It  is  an  intricate,  difficult  thing. 

To  comprehend  a  thing. 

I  can  make  nothing  of  it. 

The  same  construction  is  to  be  given 
to  this. 

To  correspond  with  a  person  on  a 
certain  business. 

I  know  your  intention. 

To  understand  each  other. 

I  think  it  would  be  better. 

He  who  has  to  deal  with  a  blockhead 
has  need  of  much  brnins. 

Peter  does  not  know  anything  about 
it. 

Not  to  know  so  much  as  one's  letters. 

To  molest ;  to  make  anxious. 


86 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Entenderse  á  si  mismo. 
Solo  me  he  entendido  con  él. 

Entender  de  alguna  cosa. 
Entenderse  con  alguna  cosa. 

Entender  en  alguna  causa. 

Enterrar  en  el  olvido. 
Enterrarse  en  vida. 

Contigo  me  entierren. 


I  Donde  entierra  V.  ? 

Entoldarse  el  cielo. 

No  entra  en  misa  la  campana,  y  á 

todos  llama. 
Ahora  entro  yo. 
Entra  á  reinar. 

Tanto  paño  entra  en  un  vestido. 
El  libro,  ó  el  año  entra. 
Entrar  una  plaza. 
El  mal  entra  á  brazadas,  y  sale  á 

pulgadas. 
El  rio  entra  en  el  mar. 
Entrar  en  disputas. 
Entrar  en  bureo. 

Do  entra  el  beber,  sale  el  saber. 
Lo  que  entra  con  el  capillo,  sale  con 

la  mortaja. 
Entrar  en  temor. 
Entrar  bien  alguna  cosa. 
Entrarse  por  un  libro. 
Entrar  por  un  lado. 
Entrar  con  alguno. 
Entrar  de  rondón. 
Entrar  bien  ó  mal  en  alguna  cosa. 


To  comprehend  one's  self. 

I  have  only  applied  to,  or  corre- 
sponded, with  him. 

To  be  skilful  in  anything. 

To  take  the  charge  or  management 
of  an  affair. 

To  hear  a  cause  in  court  (said  of  a 
magistrate). 

To  bury  in  oblivion. 

To  withdraw  from  the  world,  from 
society. 

With  you  I  would  bury  myself  (ex- 
pression of  happiness  in  conge- 
niality). 

Where  do  you  bury  your  victims? 
(irony  to  a  braggart). 

To  become  cloudy. 

The  bell  does  not  go  to  mass,  but 
calls  on  others  to  do  so. 

Now  I  begin. 

To  begin  to  reign. 

So  much  cloth  is  needed  for  a  dress. 

The  book  or  the  year  begins. 

To  capture  a  city. 

Diseases  come  in  by  the  yard,  and 
go  out  by  the  inch. 

The  river  empties  into  the  sea. 

To  mingle  in  quarrels. 

To  meet  for  the  discussion  of  a  sub- 
ject. 

When  the  wine  is  in,  the  wit  is  out. 

That  which  is  learned  in  infancy  is 
never  forgotten. 

To  begin  to  fear. 

To  come  to  the  point. 

To  absorb  one's  self  in  a  book. 

To  insinuate  one's  self  adroitly. 

To  deal  with  a  person. 

To  enter  suddenly  and  familiarly. 

To  accept  or  refuse  the  proposal  of 
another. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


87 


Entrar  dentro  de  si,  ó  entrar  en  si 

mismo. 
F^ntrar  en  la  clase  de  los  caballeros. 
Entrar  en  arriendo  de  una  finca  de 

campo. 
Entrar  y  salir. 

Entrar  en  una  profesión. 
Entrar  á  una  persona  á  un  salón. 
Entrar  la  comida. 
No  entrar  á  alguno  alguna  cosa. 

Entrar  en  recelo. 

Entrar   en    una    partida,    de    trigo, 

lana,  etc. 
Entrar  á  mates. 
Entrar  de  por  medio. 
Entrar  á  uno. 

Entrar  á  cantar. 

Entrar  en  calor. 

Entrarse  por  las  puertas. 

Entrar  con  el  pié  derecho,  ó  con 
buen  pié. 

Entrar  con  espada  en  mano. 

Entrar  en  juicio  con  alguno. 

Nunca  me  entró  de  dientes  á  den- 
tro. 

Entrar  como  por  su  casa. 

Entrarse  como  Pedro  por  su  casa. 

Entrar  con  calzador. 

Pájaro  viejo  no  entra  en  jaula. 
Pájaro    traguero,   no   entres   en   mi 

granero. 
Entrar,  ó  meterse  en  la  danza. 
La  letra  con  sangre  entra. 

A  la  mujer  y  á  la  muía,  por  el  pi- 
enso les  entra  la  hermosura. 


To  reflect  upon  one's  own  conduct, 

in  order  to  improve  it. 
To  be  counted  a  gentleman. 
To  take  charge  of  a  farm. 

To  be  clever  in  business  or  conversa- 
tion. 

To  devote  one's  self  to  a  profession. 

To  show  a  person  in. 

To  serve  the  dinner. 

Not  to  believe  a  thing  ;  to  have  a 
repugnance  for  it. 

To  begin  to  suspect. 

To  purchase  a  quantity  of  wheat,  wool, 
etc. 

To  communicate  by  signs. 

To  reconcile  disputants. 

To  prevail  upon  a  person  to  do  as  we 
desire. 

To  begin  to  sing  in  a  concert. 

To  become  very  warm. 

To  arrive  unexpectedly. 

To  be  fortunate  in  the  beginning  of 
an  enterprise. 

To  attack,  sword  in  hand. 

To  audit  a  person's  account. 

I  never  could  endure  him. 

To  fit  loosely. 

To  be  too  familiar  in  another  person's 
house. 

To  find  great  difficulty  in  entering  a 
place. 

It  is  difficult  to  cheat  an  expert. 

No  thieving  bird  shall  enter  my  gra- 
nary. 

To  get  one's  self  into  a  quandary. 

Those  who  would  succeed  must  work 
with  a  Avill. 

Comfort  and  kindness  contribute  to 
beauty. 


88 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Entrar  en  edad. 
Entrar  en  juego. 
Entrar  en  voz. 
Entrar  en  consejo. 
Entrar  en  docena. 

Entrar  en  suerte. 
Entrar  á  la  parte. 
Entrar  á  ojos  cerrados. 

Entrar    en   campo   con   alguno ;    ó 

mantener  campo. 
Entrar  por  fuerza  en  alguna  cosa. 
Me  entré  santamente  en  la  casa. 

Entrar  en  la  estacada. 
Entrar  en  una  comedia. 
Entregarse  en  brazos  de  alguno. 

Entregar  al  brazo  secular  una  cosa. 

Hambre  y  frió  entregan  al  hombre 

á  su  enemigo. 
Entregar  alguna  cosa  al  silencio,  ó 

al  olvido. 
Entregar  ó  rendir  el  alma  á  Dios  ;  ó 

exhalar  el  alma. 
Enviar,  ó  hacer  ir  al  rollo. 
Enviar  á  uno  á  los  quintos  infiernos. 
Negocio  erizado  de  dificultades. 
Erre  que  erre. 
Desde    que    te  erré,  nunca  bien  te 

quise. 
Al   que    yerra    perdónale    una   vez, 

mas  no  después. 
Errar  el  tiro. 

Errar  el  golpe. 
Errar  la  vocación. 

El  mas  diestro  la  yerra. 


To  grow  old. 

To  come  into  play. 

To  defend  one's  self  in  court. 

To  hold  a  conference. 

To  be  one  of  a  class  or  party  for  a 

special  purpose. 
To  take  part  in  a  raffle. 
To  have  a  share  in  a  thing. 
To   begin  a  thing   blindly,  without 

reflection. 
To  fight  a  duel. 

To  take  possession  forcibly. 

I  entered  the  house  without  cere- 
mony. 

To  enter  into  a  dispute. 

To  be  an  actor  in  a  comedy. 

To  trust  one's  self  entirely  to  an- 
other. 

To  put  a  thing  in  the  hands  of  one 
who  will  destroy  it. 

No  one  can  resist  both  hunger  and 
cold. 

To  consign  something  to  oblivion. 

To  die. 

To  pack  a  person  off. 

To  send  a  person  away  in  anger. 

An  affair  bristling  with  difficulties. , 

Pertinaciously ;  obstinately. 

Since  I  wronged  you,  I  have  never 
liked  you. 

Pardon  the  first  fault,  but  punish 
subsequent  ones. 

To  miss  the  bull's  eye  (shooting)  ; 
to  fail  to  attain  one's  desire. 

To  miss  one's  aim. 

To  devote  one's  self  to  some  em- 
ployment or  calling. 

The  cleverest  person  sometimes 
makes  a  mistake. 


SPAmSfí  IDIOMS. 


89 


Ave  de  albanla,  señal  de  tierra  que 
nunca  yerra. 

Errer  el  camino. 

Gato  escaldado  del  agua  fria  huye. 

Escapar  en  una  tabla. 

Escapársele  á  uno  alguna  cosa. 
Escapársele  á  uno  una  especie. 

Si  de  esta  escapo  y  no  muero,  nunca 
mas  bodas  al  cielo ;  ó  si  Dios  de 
esta  me  escapa,  nunca  me  cubrirá 
tal  capa. 

Escapar  el  caballo. 

Escaparse  una  palabra. 

Escarbar  la  conciencia. 

Escarbó   el    gallo,   y   descubrió    el 

cuchillo. 
Escarmentar  en  cabeza  ajena. 

Escoger  como  entre  peras. 

Escribir  en  bronce. 

Escribir  en  la  arena  ;  ó  en  polvo. 

Escribir  en  la  ceniza. 

Escrito  de  molde. 

Escribir  con  sangre. 
Quien  escucha,  su  mal  oye. 

Escupir  en  cerro,  ó  en  rueda. 
No  escupir  alguna  cosa. 
Escupir  en  la  cara  á  alguno. 

Escupir  sangre. 


An  animal  with  a  pack-saddle  is  a 
sure  sign  of  land  (ironically  ap- 
plied to  evident  things). 

To  miss  the  right  way. 

A  scalded  cat  shuns  cold  water ;  a 
burnt  child  dreads  the  fire. 

To  escape  from  a  wreck  on  a  board  ; 
to  have  a  narrow  escape. 

Not  to  notice  a  thing. 

To  say  inadvertently  what  should 
not  be  said. 

If  I  may  but  escape  this  time,  I  will 
always  be  careful  in  future. 


To  drive  a  horse  very  fast. 

To  let  an  insulting  word  escape  when 

in  anger. 
To  be  perplexed  in  one's  sense  of 

right. 
Inquisitive  people  sometimes  learn 

unpleasant  things. 
To  take  warning  by  another's  mis- 
fortunes. 
To  choose  very  carefully. 
To  persevere  tenaciously. 
To  write   in   the   sand ;    to  bury  in 

oblivion. 
To    be  weak  ;    without    firmness    of 

resolution. 
Written    in    characters    resembling 

print. 
To  write  with  acrimony. 
Listeners  never   hear   any  good   of 

themselves. 
To  mix  in  a  conversation. 
Not  to  disdain  a  thing. 
To  deride  or  ridicule  a  person  to  his 

face. 
To  boast  of  nobility. 


90 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Escupir  sangre  en  bacin  de  oro. 

Escupir  doblones. 
Escupir  en  corro. 

Escupir  al  cielo. 
Escupir  las  estopas. 

Escurrir  la  bola. 
Espantar  el  sueño. 
Espantar  la  caza. 

Poco  daña  espanta,  y  mucho  amansa. 

Al  espantado  la  sombra  le  espanta. 

Esperar  en  alguno. 
Espero  la  calentura. 
Le  espero  por  horas. 
Esperar  del  lobo  carne. 

Le  espetó  fuertes  razones. 
De  grandes   señores,  grandes  mer- 
cedes se  esperan. 
Quien  espera,  desespera. 

Quien    de   mano  ajena  espera,  mal 

yanta  y  peor  cena. 
Á  bocado  harón,  espolada  de  vino. 
¡  Á  Dios  que  esquilan  ! 
Esquilmar  la  tierra. 

Estacar  la  zalea. 

Estar  á  mano  ;  ó  á  pata. 

Estar  mano  sobre  mano. 

El  negocio  está  en  buenas  manos. 

Estar  bien  emparentado. 

Estar  en  percha. 

Estar  en  berza. 


To  spit  blood  into  a  golden  basin 
(to  enjoy  httle  happiness  in  the 
midst  of  luxury). 

To  boast  of  one's  riches. 

To  meddle  or  interfere  in  conversa- 
tion. 

To  act  rashly. 

To  clear  the  seams  of  a  snip  from 
oakum. 

To  take  French  leave. 

To  prevent  sleeping. 

To  startle  the  game  ;  to  injure  by 
overhaste. 

A  little  loss  frightens,  a  great  one 
tames. 

The  victims  of  past  accidents  are 
terrified  by  shadows. 

To  expect  a  favor  from  some  one. 

I  am  afraid  of  the  fever. 

I  expect  him  every  moment. 

To  hope  for  meat  from  the  wolf,  or 
favors  from  the  selfish. 

He  gave  strong  reasons. 

Great  people  can  do  great  kind- 
nesses. 

He  who  hopes,  also  fears  ;  waiting  is 
weary  work. 

He  who  trusts  too  much  to  others 
fares  but  ill. 

Stimulate  digestion  with  wine. 

Farewell  in  haste  ! 

To  impoverish  the  soil  (said  of  cer- 
tain crops). 

To  die. 

To  be  quits. 

To  be  idle. 

The  affair  is  in  good  hands. 

To  be  respectably  connected. 

To  have  accomplished  one's  object. 

To  be  in  the  blade  (applied  to 
grain). 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


91 


Estar  á  la  cuarta  pregunta. 
Estar  vendido. 
Estar  como  vendido. 

Estar  de  vena. 

Estar  ó  ir  de  complimiento. 

Estar  al  yunque. 

Estar  de  buen  talante. 

Estar  muy  pagado  de  si  mismo. 

Estar  en  muda. 

Estar  de  espera. 

El  asunto  está  en  vado. 

Estar  á  razón  ;  ó  á  razones. 

Estar  en  tabletas  alguna  cosa. 

Estar  por  alguno. 

Estar  en  lo  que  se  dice. 

Estar  en  todo. 

Estar  en  cierne. 

Estar  en  su  centro. 

Estar  hecho  un  cielo. 

Estar  herido  de  mutismo. 

Estar  ó  venir  de  picadillo. 

Estar  con  el  pelo  de  la  dehesa. 

El  perezoso  siempre  está  meneste- 
roso. 

Estar  hecho  de  hieles. 

Estar  una  cosa  en  jerga. 

Estar  en  regla. 

Ahi  está  el  toque. 

La  consulta  está  arriba. 

Está  decretado  de  arriba. 

Estar  al  saltadero. 

Estar  en  grande  altura. 

Estar  en  candelero. 

Estar  de  arrimón. 

Estar  á  la  mira. 

Estar  con  las  espuelas,  ó  tener  las 
espuelas  calzadas. 


To  be  utterly  destitute  of  funds. 

To  be  betrayed. 

To  be  disgusted  with  uncongenial 
company. 

To  be  in  the  mood  or  in  the  vein. 

To  pay  or  receive  visits  of  courtesy. 

To  bear  up  under  the  frowns  of  for- 
tune. 

To  be  ready  and  willing. 

To  entertain  a  high  opinion  of  one's 
self. 

To  keep  silence  in  company. 

To  be  in  expectation  of. 

The  matter  is  settled. 

To  argue. 

To  be  in  suspense. 

To  favor  any  one. 

To  comprehend  what  is  said. 

To  pay  attention  to  e\'er}'thing. 

To  be  in  its  infancy. 

To  be  satisfied  with  one's  fate. 

To  be  most  brilliant. 

To  be  struck  dumb. 

To  be  piqued,  and  desirous  of  show- 
ing it. 

To  be  a  boor,  a  clown. 

The  lazy  are  always  in  want. 

To  be  as  bitter  as  gall. 

To  be  planned,  but  not  finished. 

To  be  in  order. 

There  lies  the  difficulty. 

The  business  is  laid  before  the  king. 

It  is  decreed  by  high  authority. 

To  be  near  promotion. 

To  be  raised  to  a  great  dignity. 

To  be  high  in  office. 

To  keep  watch. 

To  be  on  the  lookout,  on  the  watch. 

To  be  booted  and  spurred  ;  ready. 


92 


SPAA'/SH  IDIOMS. 


Estar  sobre  las  armas. 

Estar  de  ordenanza,  ó  de  guardia. 

Estar  á  juzgado  y  sentenciado. 

Estar  ó  estarse  á  la  capa. 

Estar  ó  andar  sobre  aviso. 

Estar  desprevenido. 

Estar  con  la  soga  á  la  garganta. 

Estar  en  tal  cuerda. 

Estoy  en  que  .  .  . 

Ya  estaba  yo  en  eso. 

Me  estoy  en  mis  trece,  ó  en  la  mia. 

Estar  erre  que  erre. 

Estar  con  alguno. 

Está  muy  pagado  de  sí  mismo. 

Estar  en  caja. 

Estar  bien  ó  mal  conceptuado  con 

alguno. 
Yo  no  estoy  para  dar  migas  á  un 

gato. 
Quien  está  ausente  todos  los  males 

tiene  y  teme. 
Estar  con  cuidado. 
Cuando  el  villano  está  en  el  mulo, 

ni  conoce  á  dios,  ni  al  mundo. 
Donde  no  está  el  dueño,  ahí  está  su 

duelo. 
En  la  tardanza  está  el  peligro. 
Estar  á  pique  de  perderse. 
Estar  apestado  de  alguna  cosa. 

Estar  fuera. 

Asi  me  estoy. 

Estar  á  la  devoción  de  alguno. 

Estar  á  los  pies  de  los  caballos. 

Estar  en  un  tris  .  ,  . 

Estar  ó  salir  á  todo. 


Tü  be  under  arms. 

To  be  on  duty ;  to  be  in  waiting. 

To  be  obliged  to  hear  and  submit  to 

the  sentence  pronounced 
To  keep  a  sharp  lookout. 
To  be  on  one's  guard. 
To  be  off  one's  guard. 
To  be  in  imminent  danger. 
To  be  of  that  opinion. 
I  am  of  opinion  that  .  .  . 
I  was  already  of  that  mind. 
I  retain  my  opinion. 
To  hold  an  opinion  with  tenacity. 
To   be   of  the   same    opinion  with 

another. 
He    entertains    a    high   opinion   of 

himself. 
To  have  one's  balance. 
To  stand  well  or  ill  in  the  opinion  of 

any  one  ;  to  agree  or  not  to  agree. 
I  am  not  worthy  to  throw  crumbs  to 

a  cat. 
The  absent  suffer  and  fear  every  ill. 

To  be  anxious. 

Sudden  good  fortune  turns  the  head 

of  a  foolish  person. 
^^'hen  the  cat's  away,  the  mice  will 

play. 
Delays  are  dangerous. 
To  be  within  an  ace  of  being  lost. 
To   be  satiated  with    anything ;    to 

have  a  superabundance  of  a  thing. 
Not  to  be  at  home. 
It  is  all  the  same  to  me. 
To  be  at  one's  disposal. 
To  be  in  complete  humiliation  ( under 

the  horses'  feet) . 
To  be  on  the  verge  of .  .  .,  on  the 

point  of  .  .  . 
To  answer  for  the  consequences. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


93 


Estar  de  bote  en  bote. 

Estar  hecho  un  zorro. 

Estar  á  buen  pesebre. 

Estar  en  el  tablero. 

Estar  picado  del  alacrán. 

Estar  de  media  anqueta. 

Estar  en  la  enfermeria. 

Estar  á  cordel. 

Estoy  en  ayunas. 

Estar  en  berlina. 

Estar  de  por  medio. 

Estar  bien  con  alguno. 

i  Con  que  no  está  en  la  cartilla  ! 

Estar  sobre  sí. 

Estar  en  sí. 

Estar  alcanzado. 

Estar  ó  no  estar  en  el  caso. 

Estar  de  buen  talante. 
Estar  cocido  en  alguna  cosa. 
Estar  al  cabo  de  algún  negocio. 

Estar  ó  quedar  impuesto  de  alguna 

cosa. 
Estar  en  los  bolos. 

Estar  ó  poner  en  solfa. 

Estar  sobre  un  negocio. 
Estar  en  barras. 

Estar  en  pañales. 
Estar  en  los  ápices. 

Estar  colgado  de  los  cabellos. 

Estar  en  algiuia  cosa. 
Estar  á  sus  anchuras. 
Estar  de  hocico. 


To  be  full  of  people,  crowded. 

To  be  drowsy,  or  heavy  with  sleep. 

To  dine  at  a  well-served  table. 

To  be  exposed  to  public  view. 

To  be  smitten  with  love. 

To  be  incommodiously  seated. 

To  be  in  the  repair  shojj. 

To  be  in  the  right  line. 

I  am  still  fasting. 

To  be  the  object  ot  censure  or  gossip. 

To  interpose  \  to  mediate. 

To  be  on  good  terms  with  one. 

Something  strange  and  uncommon 
(that  is  not  upon  the  card  !). 

To  be  proud,  tranquil,  on  one's 
guard. 

To  have  complete  consciousness. 

To  be  in  debt. 

To  comprehend  or  not  to  compre- 
hend a  thing. 

To  be  ready  or  willing  to  do  a  thing. 

To  understand  an  affair  well. 

To  be  thoroughly  acc^uainted  with 
an  affair. 

To  be  thoroughly  posted  in  some 
business. 

To  be  dexterous  in  conducting  an 
affair. 

To  arrange  things  with  art  or  judg- 
ment. 

To  have  a  matter  well  in  hand. 

To  be  on  the  point  of  settling  an 
affair. 

To  have  little  knowledge  of  anything. 

To  have  a  complete  knowledge  of  a 
thing. 

To  be  anxious  concerning  a  critical 
affair. 

To  push  an  affair. 

To  be  at  one's  ease. 

To  be  at  variance. 


94 


SPAXISfí  IDIOMS. 


Estar  de  inteligencia. 

Estar  metido  en  caponera. 

Estar  de  pié  ;  ó  en  pié  ;  ó  derecho  ; 

ó  levantado. 
Estar  con  los  huesos  de  punta. 
Estar  en  pino. 
Estar  de  priesa. 
Eso  está  bien  ó  mal  visto. 
Estar  bien  aviado. 
Estar  por  ver,  ó  por  venir. 

Estar  de  ver. 

Estar  á  la  vista. 

Estar  con  las  botas  puestas. 

Estar  en  hacer  alguna  cosa. 

Estar  a  la  puerta. 

Estar  por  puertas. 

Estar  ó  andar  hecho  un  azacán. 

No  está  desnudo. 

Estar  en  vilo. 

Estar  ó  quedar  en  descubierto. 

Estar  demás. 

Estar  en  habla. 

Estar  á  la  estaca. 

Estar  uno  mal  guisado. 

Estemos  á  cuentas. 

Estar  á  todo. 

Estar  como  una  balsa  de  aceite. 

Estar  con  el  agua  á  la  boca. 

Estar  alguna  cosa  por  hacer. 

Está  fuera  de  mi  esfera. 

Estar  por  hacer  alguna  cosa. 

Estar  en  mantillas. 

Está  comiendo  su  renta  bobamente. 

Estar  curtido. 

No  quisiera  estar  en  su  pellejo. 

Estar  al  embocadero. 


To  be  in  accord. 

To  be  locked  up  in  jail. 

To  stand. 

To  stand  up. 

To  stand  erect. 

To  be  in  a  hurry. 

That  is  proper,  or  improper. 

To  be  well  stocked. 

To  be  yet  to  come  to  pass ;  to  be 
doubtful. 

To  be  worth  seeing. 

To  take  care  of;  to  be  on  the  lookout. 

To  be  ready  for  sen-ice  or  travel. 

To  be  resolved  or  disposed  to  do 
anything. 

To  be  about  to  happen. 

To  be  reduced  to  beggary. 

To  be  very  busy. 

He  wants  for  nothing. 

To  be  in  great  suspense. 

To  be  a  defaulter. 

To  be  one  too  many. 

To  talk  about  an  affair. 

To  live  very  poorly. 

To  be  disgusted,  discontented. 

Let  us  consider  this. 

To  be  ready  for  whatever  may  come. 

To  be  as  quiet  as  a  pool  of  oil  (said 
of  a  crowd). 

To  find  one's  self  in  a  scrape. 

To  remain  to  be  done. 

That  is  out  of  my  reach,  or  power. 

To  be  inclined  to  do  a  thing. 

To  be  in  a  state  of  infancy. 

He  spends  his  income  foolishly. 

To  be  accustomed,  inured. 

I  should  not  like  to  stand  in  his 
shoes  (in  his  skin). 

To  be  on  the  point  of  attaining  any- 
thing. 


SPAX/SII  IDIOMS. 


95 


Estar  en  autos,  ó  en  los  autos. 
¿Está  V.? 

Todavía  no  están  de  vuelta. 
Estar  al  sol  que  nace. 
¿  Estamos  aqui,  ó  en  Flandes,  ó  en 
Francia  ? 

Á  salvo  está  el  que  repica. 

Estar  de  plantón. 

Estar  al  caer. 

Estar  de  non. 

Estar  á  prueba  de  bomba. 

Estar  en  cántaro. 

Estar  hecho  la  fábula  del  mundo. 

Sus  estados  están  desempeñados. 
Estar  empeñado  hasta  los  ojos. 
Estar  ahogado. 

Estar  en  arábigo. 

Estar  debajo  de  la  palamenta. 

No  estar  en  el  mapa. 

El  está  desengañado  de  eso. 

Estar  á  patio. 

Estar  escriturado. 

El  caudal  de  fulano  está  en  alcabala 

de  viento. 
Estar  á  diente  como  haca  de  bolero. 
Estar  á  diente. 
Estar  pelado,  ó  ser  pelado. 
Estar  á  la  sopa  boba  de  alguno. 
Cuando    el    hierro    esta    encendido, 

entonces  ha  de  ser  batido. 
Estar  dos  á  partir  un  piñón. 
Estar  ó  andar  sobre  los  estribos. 
Estar  en  el  banco  de  la  paciencia. 
Asi  estaba  escrito. 
Estar  ó  venir  hecho  un  pato  de  agua. 


To  know  what  is  going  on. 

Do  you  know?    do  you  understand? 

They  have  not  yet  returned. 

To  court  the  rising  power. 

Pray  remember  where  you  are  !  (re- 
proach for  an  untimely  or  im- 
proper remark). 

He  is  in  safety  who  rings  the  tocsin. 

To  be  settled  permanently  in  a  place. 

To  be  about  to  be. 

To  serve  for  nothing. 

To  be  bomb-proof. 

To  be  nominated  for  an  office. 

He  has  become  the  laughing-stock 
of  the  world. 

His  estates  are  free  from  debt. 

To  be  deeply  in  debt. 

To  be  overwhelmed  with  business  or 
trouble. 

To  be  incomprehensible. 

To  be  at  the  beck  and  call  of  any 
one. 

To  be  out  of  the  common  way. 

He  is  aware  of  that. 

To  live  at  one's  own  expense  (said 
of  students  in  college). 

To  be  under  articles. 

He  lives  on  what  he  earns. 

To  be  very  hungry  indeed. 
Not  to  have  eaten  anything. 
To  be  penniless,  insignificant. 
To  live  gratis  in  another's  house. 
When  the   iron  is  hot,  then  is  the 

time  to  strike. 
To  be  very  intimate  friends. 
To  act  prudently  and  cautiously. 
To  be  enduring  some  trouble. 
It  was  written  ;  it  was  to  be  so. 
To  roll  off  like  water  from  a  duck's 

back. 


96 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Está  del  mismo  palo. 
Estar  como  santo  en  vísperas. 
Estar  en  percha. 
Estar  la  mar  en  leche. 
Estar  alguna  cosa  en  leche. 

Estar  con  la  leche  en  los  labios. 

Estar  cargado  de  obligaciones. 

Estar  rodeado  de  negocios. 

Pedro  está  por  corregidor. 

Juan  está  entrado  en  dias. 

Bueno,  bueno  está  \  ó  bueno  está  lo 
bueno. 

Estar  un  aposento  echando  bombas. 

Estar  en  el  Cristus. 

Está  de  Dios. 

Estar  fuera  de  Dios. 

Al  que  no  está  acostumbrado  á  bra- 
gas, las  costuras  le  hacen  llagas. 

El  infierno  está  lleno  de  buenas  pala- 
bras. 

Aquel  es  rico  que  está  bien  con  Dios. 

Estar  muy  metido  en  algún  negocio. 

Estar  las  uvas  verdes. 

Estar  tocada  alguna  cosa. 

Esta  una  cosa  tan  en  los  ojos. 

Estar  embargado  para  palacio. 

Estar  á  la  oreja. 
Seca  está  la  obra. 

La  mitad  del  éxito  está  en  quererlo. 
Las  frutas  están  tomando  color. 
Los  campos  están  buenos. 
Los  campos  están  perdidos. 
Cuando  la  sierra  está  dorada  en  la 

mano  viene  el  agua. 
Estar  una  cosa  en  el  estado  de  la 

inocencia. 
Por  la  puente,  que  está  seco. 


He  is  of  the  same  sort  (as  another) . 
To  hear  without  understanding. 
To  be  safe  and  secure. 
The  sea  is  calm  and  smooth. 
Not  to  have  attained  a  state  of  ma- 
turity. 
To  lack  experience. 
To  have  a  large  family  to  support. 
To  be  very  busy. 
Peter  is  mayor. 
John  is  getting  old. 
Enough  ;  no  more. 

The  room  is  very  hot. 
To  be  a  tyro  in  an  art  or  science. 
It  is  from  God  ;  it  is  inevitable. 
To  be  utterly  foolish. 
Unaccustomed  things  are  difficult  of 

management. 
Hell  is  paved  with  good  intentions. 

Virtue  is  the  only  true  wealth. 

To  be  deeply  engaged  in  an  affair. 

To  be  sour  grapes,  unattainable. 

To  have  begun  to  decay. 

To  be  continually  before  one's  eyes. 

To  excuse  one's  self  by  pretending 
urgent  business. 

To  be  always  near  a  person. 

Work  is  dry  (a  request  for  drink- 
money  after  work  done). 

Well  begun  is  half  done. 

The  fruit  is  growing  ripe. 

The  crops  are  good. 

The  crops  are  ruined. 

When  the  clouds  gather  on  the 
mountains,  the  rain  soon  falls. 

An  affair  or  business  which  has  made 
no  progress  from  the  beginning. 

Look  to  your  ways,  and  choose  the 
best. 


SP.LV/S//  /D/OA/S. 


97 


No  en  lüs  años  están  todos  los  en- 
gaños. 

La  casa  está  por  acabar. 

Cosa  que  no  está  en  la  cartilla. 

Están  cosas  en  este  mundo  como 
cuernos  en  un  costal,  —  todas  de 
punta. 

Estar  hecho  una  lia. 

Estar  á  treinta  con  rey  ;  ó  ponerse  á 
treinta. 

Estar  hecho  un  cuero,  ó  una  uva.' 

El  que  está  en  pié,  mire  no  caiga. 

Mas  cerca  está  la  camisa  á  la  carne 

que  el  jubón. 
Estar  á  cuento. 

Estar  ó  venir  á  cuento  una  cosa. 

Estar  con  el  pié  en  el  aire. 

No  estar  ó  no  venir  en  estado  un 
pleito. 

Á  quien  está  en  su  tienda,  no  le 
achacan  que  se  halló  en  la  con- 
tienda. 

Estar  asomado  á  buena  ventana. 

No    están    bien    dos    pobres   á   una 

puerta. 
Estar  ajeno  de  una  cosa. 
Estar  ajeno  de  si. 
Estar  de  saca. 
Estar  de  venta,  ó  en  venta. 


Ella  está  siempre  colgada  de  la  ven- 
tana. 

Estar  en  el  tablero. 

Triste  está  la  casa  donde  la  gallina 
canta,  y  el  galio  calla. 


The  young  may  be  crafty  as  well  as 

the  old. 
The  house  is  not  yet  finished. 
Something  irregular  ;  out  of  the  way. 
There  are  things  in  this  world  like 

horns  in  a  bag,  —  all  awry. 

To  be  tipsy. 

To  be   as  hapjjy  as  a  lord    (elated 

with  wine ) . 
To  be  very  drunk. 
Let  him  who  thinketh  he  standeth, 

take  heed  lest  he  fall. 
Blood  is  thicker  than  water. 

To  be  useful  for  a  purpose,  appro- 
priate. 

To  come  to  the  point ;  to  be  suit- 
able to  the  occasion. 

To  be  unsettled. 

The  lawsuit  is  postponed. 

Crimes  are  not  ascribed  to  those 
who  have  regular  occupations,  but 
to  vagrants. 

To  be  near  attaining  family  estates 
or  dignities. 

Rivalry  makes  trouble. 

Not  to  have  heard  a  rumor. 

To  be  unselfish  ;  without  self-love. 

To  be  on  sale. 

To   be   on    saie    (said    of  one   who 

stands  much  at  a  window  to  see 

and  be  seen). 
She  is  always  at  the  window. 

To  be  exposed  to  public  view. 
That  is  but  a  sorry  house  where  the 

wife    governs    and    the    husband 

submits. 


98 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Esta  noticia  está  chorreando  sangre. 
Estar  con  el  pié  en  el    estribo ;    ó 
tener  el  pié  en  el  estribo. 

Estar  transportado  con  alguna  per- 
sona. 
Ya  estamos  en  ello. 
El  lobo  está  en  la  conseja. 


Estar  en  tabletas. 
Estar  en  grande  altura. 
Estar  en  los  quintos  infiernos. 


El  está  bien  ó  mal  visto. 
Estar  á  tiro  de  cañón. 
Estar,  ó  quedarse  de  asiento. 
Estar  de  sobra. 
Estar  en  edad. 

Quien   de    alacrán   está   picado,    la 

sombra  le  espanta. 
Estar  muy  metido  en  algún  negocio. 
¡  A  otra  puerta  que  esta  no  se  abre  ! 

Estar  hecho  pedazos. 
Esta  agua  está  pelando. 
Estar  sobre  una  plaza. 
Estar  hecho  una  criba. 
Estar  una  cosa  en  un  hilo. 

Estar  para  dar  un  estallido. 

Estar    como   una    espina ;    ó    estar 

hecho  un  cartón. 
Estar  como  el  naipe. 

Estar  en  los  huesos. 
Estar  hecho  un  costal  de  huesos. 
Estar  en  ascuas. 

Estar  uno  en  espinas  ;  ó  encontrarse 
sobre  espinas. 


This  news  is  quite  fresh. 

To  be  on  the  point  of  starting  on  a 

journey  (to  have  one's  foot  already 

in  the  stirrup). 
To  be  wrapt  up  in  a  person. 

We  are  about  it ;  we  understand  it. 
A  traitor  is  among   us    (a  wolf  in 

sheep's  clothing). 
To  be  in  suspense. 
To  have  great  authority  or  fortune. 
To   be   in   a  remote   and    secluded 

place. 
He  is  or  is  not  respected. 
To  be  within  cannon-shot. 
To  settle  in  a  place. 
To  be  one  too  many. 
To  be  under  seven  years  old   (said 

of  horses). 
The  burnt  child  fears  the  fire. 

To  be  deeply  engaged  in  an  affair. 

Be  off  to  another  door  !  this  one  will 
not  open  to  you. 

To  be  broken  in  pieces. 

This  water  is  boiling. 

To  be  besieging  a  city. 

To  be  riddled. 

To  be  in  a  critical  condition  (said 
of  business). 

To  be  about  to  cause  a  great  sensa- 
tion. 

To  be  extremely  thin. 

To  be  as  thin  as  a  thread-paper  (as 

a  card). 
To  be  a  mere  skeleton. 
To  be  a  mere  bag  of  bones. 
To  be  upon  thorns. 
To  be  upon  thorns. 


Sr.LV/S/V  IDIOMS. 


99 


No  estar  muy  católico. 

No  estar  uno  bien  con  sus  huesos. 

Estar  hecho  un  cascajo. 

Estar  de  mala  gana. 

Estar  amagado  de  fiebre. 

Estar  hecho  una  pavesa. 

Estar  en  galeras. 

Estar  de  grito  ;  ó  en  un  grito. 

Estar  con  la  boca  á  la  pared. 

Estar  hecho  un  pollo  de  agua. 

Estar  tieso  como  un  besugo. 

Estar  hecho  unas  brasas. 

Estar  en  brasas. 

Estar  colgado  de  un  hilo. 

Estar  de  cuidado. 

Estar  como  en  un  potro. 

Estar  sin  habla. 

Estar  hecho  un  tronco. 

Estar,  andar  ó  verse  entre  la  cruz  y 
el  agua  bendita. 

Estar  con  el  credo  en  la  boca. 

Estar  á  dos  dedos  de  la  eternidad. 

Estar  con  la  candela  en  la  mano. 

Estar  en  el  candilón,  en  los  hospi- 
tales. 

Estar  con  un  pié  en  la  sepultura. 

Estar  hecho  un  hospital. 

Estar  en  capilla. 

Estar  fuera  de  su  juicio  ;   ó  de  su 

acuerdo. 
Estar  en  su  juicio  ;  ó  en  su  acuerdo. 
Estar  á  lo  último,  ó  á  los  últimos. 

Estar  mascando  tierra  ó  barro. 
El  pulso  está  en  su  caja. 
Estar  de  buen  año. 


Not  to  be  in  good  health. 

To  be  careless  of  one's  own  health. 

To  be  old  and  infirm. 

To  be  indisposed. 

To  begin  to  feel  symptoms  of  fever. 

To  be  very  much  debilitated. 

To  be  in  distress  or  sorrow. 

To  be  in  continual  pain. 

To  be  in  extreme  necessity. 

To  perspire  very  freely. 

To  be  very  cold. 

To  be  flushed  with  heat. 

To  be  uneasy. 

To  be  in  great  danger. 

To  be  dangerously  ill. 

To  be  in  a  state  of  extreme  suffering. 

To  be  speechless. 

To  be  bereft  of  feeling  and  con- 
sciousness. 

To  be  in  imminent  danger  (between 
the  cross  and  holy  water). 

To  be  in  great  danger  of  death. 

To  be  on  the  brink  of  eternity. 

To  be  dying. 

To  be  dying  (to  be  with  the  lamp 
in  the  hospital ' ) . 

To  have  one  foot  in  the  grave. 

He  is  very  sickly  ;  or,  there  are  many 
invalids  in  the  house. 

To  prepare  for  death  (said  of  crim- 
inals). 

To  be  insane. 

To  be  sane. 

To  be  expiring  ;  to  understand  com- 
pletely. 
To  be  dead  and  buried. 
His  pulse  is  even  and  natural. 
To  be  stout  and  well  fed. 


^  In  the  Spanish  hospitals  a  large  lamp  is  put  near  the  bed  of  a  dying  person. 


100 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Estar  como  el  pez  con  el  agua. 

Estar  como  un  reloj. 

Estar  ó  quedar  sin  novedad. 
Estar  boyante. 

Estar  hecho   un   abril,   parecer   un 

abril. 
Estar  de  casa. 
Estar,  andar,  ó  salir  de  trapillo. 

Estar  á  las  once. 

Estar  cosida  alguna  cosa  con  hilo 

blanco. 
Estar  bien  ó  mal  una  cosa  á  alguno. 

Estar  en  quinólas. 

Estar  con  el  pelo  de  la  dehesa. 

Estar  hecho  un  andrajo. 

Está  hecho  un  arambel. 
Estar  ó  ir  hecho  un  brinquiño. 
Estar  ó  ir  siempre  en  bandeja. 
Estar  en  boga  alguna  cosa. 
Estar  aparador. 

Le  está  como  á  la  burra  los  arracades. 
Estar  bien  una  cosa  á  alguno. 
Estar  de  respeto. 

Estar  bien  ó  mal  templada  la  gui- 
tarra. 
Estar  una  cosa  puesta  á  la  guitarra. 

No  estar  con  sus  alfileres. 

Estar  con  todos  sus  alfileres. 

No  estar  alguno  en  su  caja. 

No  estar  el  horno  para  pasteles,  ó 

para  roscas. 
Estar  ó  ponerse  muy  ancho. 
Estar  de  punta  con  otro. 


To  live  comfortably  (like  a  fish  in 
the  water). 

To  be  in  perfectly  good  health  (reg- 
ular as  the  clock). 

To  be  in  good  health. 

To  ht  in  good  health  or  circum- 
stances. 

To  look  well,  handsome,  and  healthy. 

To  be  in  dishabille. 

To  be  in  dishabille ;  to  be  negligent 
in  dress. 

To  be  awry  (applied  to  clothes). 

Not  to  match  (to  have  sewed  some- 
thing dark  with  a  white  thread). 

This  thing  does  or  does  not  become 
him. 

To  wear  clothes  of  glaring  colors. 

To  be  unkempt,  unpolished,  clown- 
ish. 

To  be  dressed  like  a  ragman  (i.e.^ 
in  rags). 

He  is  dressed  like  a  scarecrow. 

To  be  very  well  dressed. 

To  be  always  well  dressed. 

To  be  in  fashion,  in  general  use. 

To  be  dressed  in  style. 

To  be  very  becoming. 

To  suit. 

To  be  in  full  evening  dress. 

To  be  in  good  or  bad  humor. 

To   be    artistically    or    fashionably 

posed. 
Not  to  be  in  good  humor. 
To  be  as  well  dressed  as  possible. 
To  be  in  a  bad  humor. 
He  is  not  in  a  favorable  mood  to 

speak  of  this. 
To  become  proud  or  haughty. 
To  be  on  bad  terms  with  another. 


SPAN/S/I  IDIOMS. 


101 


Estar    ó    ponerse    de    cuernos    con 

alguno. 
Estar  uno  mal  guisado. 
No  estar  gracia  en  casa  ;  ó  no  estar 

de  gracia  ;  ó  para  gracia. 
Estar  con  tanta  jeta. 

Estar  sentido. 
Estar  de  esquina. 

Pedro  y  Juan  están  en  guerra  abierta. 
Estar  hecho  un  ascua ;    ó  echar  as- 
cuas. 
El  está  que  brinca. 
Estar  tocado  de  mal  de  rabia. 
Estar  hecho  un  fuego. 
Estar  ceñudo. 
Estar  á  merced. 
No  estar  hoy  para  mercedes. 
Estar  muy  jaque. 
No  estoy  para  jácaras. 
Estar  de  acuerdo  con  uno. 
Estar  bien  con  alguno. 
Estar  en  la  gloria. 
Estar  en  sus  glorias. 

Estar  hecho  de  sal. 

Estar  para  reventar  de  risa  ;  o  retozar 

la  risa  en  el  cuerpo. 
¡  Esa  palabra  está  gozando  de  Dios  ! 
Estar  de  chunga. 
Estar  de  fiesta. 
No  estar  para  fiestas. 

Estar  de  buen  gesto. 

Estar  de  chirinola. 

Estar  de  gaita. 

Estar  de  bulla. 

Estar  como  unas  castañuelas. 

Estar  de  garita. 

Estar  como  una  pascua. 


To  be  on  bad  terms  with  a  person. 

To  be  disgusted,  discontented. 
To  be  in  an  ill  humor. 

To  pout ;  to  put  on  an  ill-humored 

expression. 
To  be  miffed,  vexed,  annoyed. 
To  be  at  variance. 
Peter  and  John  are  at  loggerheads. 
To  be  flushed  with  anger. 

He  is  in  a  great  passion. 

To  be  overcome  by  passion. 

To  be  in  a  rage. 

To  look  black  ;  grim. 

To  live  at  another's  expense. 

Not  to  be  in  an  obliging  temper. 

To  be  very  resolute. 

I  am  not  in  a  laughing  mood. 

To  agree  entirely  with  a  person. 

To  be  on  good  terms  with  a  person. 

To  be  happy. 

To  be  doing  something  with  great 

pleasure  ;  to  be  perfectly  satisfied. 
To  be  full  of  grace  or  elegance  ;  to 

be  gay,  facetious. 
To  be  very  near  laughing. 

Heaven  smiles  on  that  speech  ! 
To  be  merry,  in  good  humor. 
To  be  merry. 
Not  to  be  willing  to  call  the  cat  ? 

pussy  ;  to  be  out  of  humor. 
To  be  in  good  humor. 
To  be  in  good  spirits. 
To  be  merry,  in  high  spirits. 
To  be  gay  and  joyful. 
To  be  very  gay. 
To  be  very  merry. 
To  be  as  merry  as  a  cricket. 


102 


SFAyiSH  IDIOMS. 


Estar  loco  de  contento. 

¿Estas    en   tu    camisa?    ¿ó   en   tus 

cinco  sentidos? 
¿  Está  V.  lelo  ? 

Estar  en,  ó  tomar  ejercicio. 

Tras  la  cruz  está  el  diablo. 

Detras  de  la  cruz  está  el  diablo  ;  ó 

la  cruz  al  cuello,  y  el  diablo  en  el 

cuerpo. 
Estar  en  Babia. 

Estar  en  un  pié  como  grulla. 
Estar  ó  estarse  á  la  capa. 

Estar  mas  muerto  que  vivo. 
Estoy  en  vilo. 
Estar  entre  dos  aguas. 
Ya  está  duro  el  alcacer  para  zam- 
ponas. 
Estar  como  el  alma  de  Garibay. 

Estar  a  dos  dedos  de  hacer,  ó  decir 

una  cosa. 
El  cañón  está  apuntado  muy  bajo. 
Estar  de  salida,  ó  de  levante. 
Estar  con  el  mismo  velamen. 

Estar  á  la  trinca. 

El  bajel  está  sobre  el  cabo  de  San 

Vincente. 
La  mar  está  muy  crecida. 
Estar  el  buque  muy  boyante. 
Estar  debajo  del  agua. 

Estar  en  áncoras,  ó  sobre  las  áncoras. 
Estar  en  el  tragadero  del  mar. 
El  ancla  está  zarpada. 
Estimar  sobre  los  ojos. 
Estirar  la  pierna. 
Estirar  las  piernas. 


'Yo  be  mad  with  joy. 
Are  you  in  your  senses? 

Are  you  mad?  do  you  know  what 
you  are  saying? 

To  be  in  spiritual  retreat. 

The  devil  hides  behind  the  cross. 

The  devil  lurks  behind  the  cross  ; 
or,  the  cross  on  one's  neck,  and 
the  devil  in  one's  body. 

To  be  absent-minded,  heedless,  in- 
attentive. 

To  be  very  watchful. 

To  be  on  the  watch  for  an  oppor- 
tunity. 

To  be  in  a  great  fright. 

I  am  in  great  anxiety. 

To  be  perplexed,  at  a  loss  how  to  act. 

That  will  never  do. 

To  be  an  irresolute,  undecided  per- 
son. 

To  be  almost  decided  to  say  or  do 
something. 

The  gun  is  depressed  (mil.). 

To  be  ready  for  sailing  (nau.). 

To  be  under  the  same  sails,  or  same 
canvas  (nau.). 

To  have  a  sharp  lookout  (nau.). 

The  vessel  is  off  Cape  St.  Vincent 
(nau.). 

The  sea  runs  very  high  (nau.). 

The  ship  draws  little  water  (nau.). 

To  be  loaded  to  the  water's  edge 
(nau.). 

To  lie  at  anchor  (nau.). 

To  be  in  the  trough  of  the  sea  (nau.). 

The  anchor  is  atrip  (nau.). 

To  esteem  highly. 

To  die. 

To  take  a  walk  ;  to  stretch  one's  legs. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


103 


P^stirar  las  cuerdas. 
Estirar  la  barra. 

El  onceno  no  estorbar. 

Cada  uno  estornuda  como  Dios  le 
ayuda. 

Estrecharse  de  ánimo. 

Estrellar  huevos. 

Estrellarse  con  uno. 

Estrujar  el  dinero. 

Evacuar  una  diligencia. 

Quien  evita  la  ocasión  evita  el  pe- 
ligro. 

Examinar  testigos. 

Excederse  á  si  mismo. 

No  excederse  en  un  átomo. 

Excoger  algo  á  moco  de  candil. 

Extender  la  pierna  hasta  donde  llega 
la  sábana. 

¡  O  fuerza  de  la  adulación,  á  cuanto 

te  extiendes  ! 
Extrañar  de  los  reinos  á  uno. 
Facer  derecho. 
Facer  ó  hacer  tabla. 
Facer  muestra. 
Facer  sin  tiesta  á  algimo. 
Facer  mal  barato. 
Al  fraile  que  te  faz,  fazle. 
Falsear  una  llave. 
Falsear  las  guardas,  ó  centinelas. 
Sin  faltar  chicota. 
Sin  faltar  un  si,  ni  un  no. 
No  faltar  en  un  cabello. 

Herradura  que  chapalea  clavo  le 
falta. 

Nunca  falta  un  roto  para  un  desco- 
sido. 

No  le  falta  sino  sarna  (jue  rascar. 


To  stand  up. 

To  make  a  great  effort  to  attain  a 

thing. 
Do  not  hinder  industrious  i)ersons  in 

their  business. 
Each  one  sneezes  as  God  helps  him 

to  do. 
To  become  discouraged. 
To  poach  eggs. 
To  fall  out  with  a  person. 
To  be  avaricious,  covetous. 
To  finish  an  affair. 
The    best    armor   is   absence    from 

clanger. 
To  take  the  testimony  of  a  witness. 
To  surpass  one's  own  actions. 
To  keep  closely  to  one's  orders. 
To  choose  carefully. 
To  cut  one's  coat  according  to  one's 

cloth  (to  stretch  one's  legs  as  far 

as  the  sheet  reaches). 
O,  flattery,  how  potent  is  thy  sway  ! 

To  banish  a  person. 

To  do  justice. 

To  give  a  banquet. 

To  feign,  or  pretend. 

To  cut  a  person's  head  off. 

To  do  wrong. 

Return  good  deeds  in  kind. 

To  make  a  false  key. 

To  bribe  the  guards,  or  sentinels 

It  is  all  complete. 

Without  an  iota  wanting. 

Not  to  be  wanting  in  the  slightest 

particular. 
No    smoke  without   fire   (a   rattling 

horseshoe  needs  a  nail). 
Even  the  most  unfortunate  may  find 

a  friend. 
He   has   everything   his   heart    can 

desire. 


104 


SPAXISn  IDIOMS. 


Faltará   la   madre  al  hijo  y   no  la 

niebla  al  granizo. 
Faltar  á  la  palabra. 
Faltan  palabras. 
Faltar  á  la  verdad. 
Ferir  el  mal  viento  en  alguno. 
Fiar  el  pecho. 
No  le  fiara  un  saco  de  alacranes. 

Quien  fia,  ó  promete,  en  deuda  se 

mete. 
Fijar  las  plantas. 
Aqui  finca  el  punto. 
Fingir  negocios. 
Finarse  ó  desperecerse  de  risa. 
Ni  firmes  carta  que  no  leas,  ni  bebas 

agua  que  no  veas. 

Gloria  vana,  florece  y  no  grana. 
Formar  cuentas  alegres,  ó  galanas, 

ó  calendarios. 
Alijo  forzado. 

Franquear  la  casa. 

Franquear  una  carta. 
Freirsela  á  alguno. 
Freirse  de  calor. 
Al  ft-eir,  lo  veréis. 

Fulminar  la  sentencia, 
í'undar  en  el  aire. 

Fundar  ó   tener  fundada   intención 

contra  alguno. 
Ganar  calzas. 
Ganar  la  voluntad  de  alguno. 

Ganar  amigos  y  dinero. 

Ganar  el  juego. 


Fogs  are  sure  to  come  after  hail  (the 

laws  of  nature  are  unchanging). 
To  break  one's  word,  one's  promise. 
Words  cannot  tell. 
To  lie. 

To  become  suspicious,  or  afraid. 
To  trust  one's  secrets  to  another. 
I  would  not  trust  him  with  so  much 

as  a  bag  of  scorpions. 
He  who  makes  a  promise   thereby 

contracts  a  debt. 
To  persist  in  an  opinion. 
Here  lies  the  difficulty. 
To  affect  the  man  of  business. 
To  laugh  excessively. 
Never  sign  a  paper  which  you  have 

not  read,  nor  drink  water  which 

you  have  not  examined. 
Earthly  glories  are  transient. 
To  build  castles  in  the  air. 

Lightening  a  ship  by  throwing  the 

cargo  overboard   (nau.). 
To  give  a  person  the  freedom  of  the 

house. 
To  put  a  stamp  on  a  letter. 
To  deceive  with  premeditation. 
To  be  excessively  hot. 
The  proof  of  the  pudding  is  in  the 

eating. 
To  pass  judgment. 
To  build    argument  or  hope  upon 

insufficient  grounds. 
To  have  an  undoubted  right  to  do  a 

thing. 
To  gain  glory  or  profit. 
To  gain   a  person's   good  will  and 

confidence. 
To  acquire  fortune  and  glory  at  the 

same  time. 
To  defeat  another 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


105 


Ganar  ó  perder  capítulo. 
Ganar  enemigos. 
Ganar  las  albricias. 

Ganar  el  jubileo. 


Ganar  el  viento. 

Bocado  comido,  no  gana  amigo. 

Ganar  la  boca  á  uno. 

Con  paciencia  se  gana  el  cielo. 

Ganar  las  riendas. 

Ganar  á  dedos. 

No  se  ganó  Zamora  en  una  hora. 

Ganar  el  cielo  con  rosario  ajeno. 

Ganar  de  barlovento. 

Gastar   el   calor   natural    en    alguna 

cosa. 
De  mala  masa,  un  bollo  basta. 

Gastar  la  pólvora  en  salvas. 

Gastar  palabras. 

Gastar   alegremente   la  hacienda  ó 

caudales. 
Gastar  sin  consuelo. 

Gloriarse  en  Dios. 

Gobierna  tu  boca  sesrun  tu  bolsa. 


Gobernar  el  timón. 

Gozar  de  Dios. 

Grabar  en  hueco,  en  blanco,  ó  relieve. 

Grabar  al  agua  fuerte. 


To  carry  or  lose  one's  point. 

To  make  enemies. 

To  be  the  first  in  bringing  good 
news  to  an  interested  person. 

To  gain  the  indulgence  of  the  jubi- 
lee, or  fiftieth  year,  among  the 
Jews. 

To  get  to  the  lee  of  the  game 
(hunting). 

Those  who  do  not  share  their  pleas- 
ures do  not  make  friends. 

To  induce  a  person  to  change  his 
opinion. 

With  patience,  heaven  itself  may  be 
gained  (warning  against  haste). 

To  stop  a  rider  by  seizing  the  reins. 

To  gain  by  inches. 

Rome  was  not  built  in  a  day. 

To  gain  heaven  by  the  use  of  another 
person's  rosary  (to  rob  Peter  to 
pay  Paul) . 

To  get  to  windward. 

To  pay  more  attention  to  a  thing 
than  it  deserves. 

Of  a  poor  article,  take  as  little  as 
possible. 

To  work  to  no  purpose. 

To  waste  words. 

To  squander  one's  fortune  in  amuse- 
ments. 

To  outrun  the  constable  ;  to  spend 
thoughtlessly. 

To  do  something  for  the  glory  of 
God. 

Regulate  your  appetite  bv  vour 
purse ;  or,  cut  your  coat  accord- 
ing to  your  cloth. 

To  steer  the  ship  (nau.). 

To  be  dead  and  blessed. 

To  emboss ;  to  model  in  reHef. 

To  etch.  . 


106 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Seca  la  garganta,  ni  gruñe  ni  canta. 
Miel  en  la  boca,  y  guarde  la  bolsa. 

¡  Asi  Dios  te  guarde,  asi  Dios  te  de 

la  gloria  ! 
Guárdate  de  hombre  mal  barbado,  y 

de  viento  acanalado. 
Guardar  la  cara. 
Quien    guarda    su    puridad    escusa 

mucho  mal. 
El  año  seco  tras  el  mojado,  guarda 

la  lana  y  vende  el  hilado. 
i  Guárdete  Dios  de  "  hecho  es  "  ! 

Guardar  el  sueño. 

Guárdate  del  diablo. 
Guardársela  á  alguno. 

Guardar  batidores,  ó  guardar  bati- 
deros. 
Guardar  las  espaldas. 

Mi  padre  las  guardará. 


Guardar  la  casa,  ó  la  cama. 

Guardar  la  boca. 

Quien  se  guarda.  Dios  le  guarda. 

Quien  guarda,  halla. 

Guardarle  á  alguno  el  aire. 

Guardar  la  ropa. 

Guiar  la  danza. 

Guiar  el  agua  á  su  molino. 

Si  el  ciego  guia  al  ciego,  ambos  van 

á  peligro  de  caer  en  el  hoyo. 
Gustar  salud. 

Fulano  gusta  mucha  porra. 
Gustar  á  otro  la  paciencia. 


The  dry  throat  can  neither  groan  nor 
sing  (said  by  drunkards). 

If  you  cannot  give,  refuse  courte- 
ously. 

May  God  help  you  as  you  help  me  ! 

Beware  of  a  beardless  man,  or  a 
draught  of  wind. 

To  conceal  one's  self. 

He  who  keeps  his  own  secret  avoids 
much  trouble. 

After  a  wet  year,  sell  your  wool ; 
after  a  dry  one,  spin  at  home. 

God  keeps  you  from  "it  is  too 
late"  ! 

To  take  care  that  one  is  not  dis- 
turbed in  sleep. 

Beware  of  risk,  or  punishment. 

To  delay  vengeance  till  a  better 
opportunity. 

To  anticipate  and  avoid  difficulties. 

To    protect    one's    self;    to   avoid 

giving  offence. 
My  father  will  attend  to  it  (used  to 

reproach  those  who  leave  to  others 

what  they  should  do  themselves) . 
To  be  confined  to  the  house,  or  to 

the  bed. 
To  eat  with  moderation. 
God  helps  him  who  helps  hnnself. 
He  who  saves,  finds. 
To  humor  a  person. 
To  ward  off  bodily  harm. 
To  involve  another  in  difficulties. 
To  bring  grist  to  one's  mill. 
If  the  blind    lead   the   blind,   both 

shall  fall  into  the  ditch. 
To  enjoy  good  health. 
Such  an  one  is  very  haughty. 
To  try  another  person's  patience. 


SPAA'ISH  IDIOMS. 


107 


Dios   me    haya   bien    con    esto,    ó 

aquello. 
i  Mal  haya  V.  (luc  no  me  lo  ha  dicho  ! 

Miedo  ha  Payo  que  reza. 

¡  Mal  haya  (¡uien  mal  piense  ! 

Hay  mucho  diablo  aqui. 

¡  Mal  haya  el  diablo  ! 

No   hay   mas   Dios,   ni   mas    Santa 

Maria  para  Pedro  que  el  fuego. 
Sin    dinero  no  hay  responso,   ó  no 

hay  don  sin  son. 
¡  Que  mal  haya  ! 
¡  Y  allá  se  lo  hayan  ! 
No  hay  memoria  que  el  tiempo  no 

acabe,  ni  dolor  que  la  muerte  no 

consuma. 
No  hay  mal  que  por  bien  no  venga. 

No  haber  ó  no  tener  apelación. 
No  hay  mal  que  dure  cien  años,  ni 

cuerpo  que  los  aguante. 
Aun  hay  sol  en  bardas. 
También  hay  bulas  para  difuntos. 
No  hay  tal  cama  como  la  de  la  en- 
jalma. 
No  hay  mas  bronce  que  años  once, 

ni  mas  lana  que  no  saber  que  hay 

mañana. 
Para  el  amor  y  muerte  no  hay  cosa 

fuerte. 
Haber  buen  siglo. 
Un  siglo  ha  que  no  le  veo  á  V. 
Hay  mucho  que  heñir. 
No  hay  que   hacer,  ó  no  tiene  que 

hacer. 
No  hay  atajo  sin  trabajo  ;  ó  no  hay 

miel  sin  hiél. 
Como  hay  viñas. 
Haber  á  los  manos. 


As  C'iod  wills  (expressing  resigna- 
tion). 

Cíod  forgive  you  for  not  having  told 
me  ! 

When  it  thunders,  the  thief  becomes 
honest. 

Evil  to  him  who  evil  thinks  ! 

This  affair  is  bedevilled,  perplexed. 

Bad  luck  to  the  devil  ! 

Peter  loves  gambling  above  all  other 
things. 

No  money,  no  paternoster. 

May  he  repent  it  ! 

I  do  not  care  !  let  it  go  ! 

Time  and  death  cure  all  things. 


There  is  no  evil   that  may  not   be 

turned  to  good. 
To  be  despaired  of. 
No  pain  lasts  a  century,  and  none 

could  endure  such. 
There  is  little  hope. 
There  is  a  remedy  for  everything. 
There  is  no  bed  too  hard  for  a  tired 

man. 
Young  people  are  strong  and  healthy. 


Against  love  or  death  nothing  avails. 

To  rest  in  peace. 

I  have  not  seen  you  for  an  age. 

There  is  much  to  do. 

You  have  but  to  do  it. 

No  gains  without  pains. 

As  sure  as  fate. 

To  find  what  one  seeka. 


108 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


No  hay  rosa  sin  espinas. 

No  hay  placer  sin  hiel,   ó  no   hay 

gusto  sin  susto. 
¿Que  hay? 
No  hay  para  qué. 
No  hay  de  qué. 

No  hay  cosa  con  cosa. 
No  hay  tal  cosa. 
No  ha  lugar. 

No  hay  tales  borregos,  ó  tales  carne- 
ros ;  ó  no  hay  tal. 
Hubo  un  tiempo. 
No  ha  mucho. 
Poco  ha  que. 
Años  ha  esto. 
Rato  ha  ;  ó  ya  ha  rato. 
Hace  rato  se  ha  ido. 
Haber  por  gato  á  rato. 
Hemos  sacado  buen  tiempo. 
Hay  aparatos  de  llover. 
Hay  buen  ó  mal  piso. 
Este  año  hay  mucho  pan. 
En  la  labranza  hay  altos  y  bajos. 

No  haber  para  untar  un  diente. 

Á  dos  pardales  en  una  espiga,  nunca 
hay  liga. 

Quien  no  se  av^entura,  no  ha  ventura. 

Á  hambre  no  hay  pan  bazo  ;  á  la 
hambre  no  hay*  mal  pan  ;  á  buena 
hambre  no  hay  pan  duro,  ni  falta 
salsa  á  ninguno  ;  á  gran  hambre 
no  hay  pan  malo,  ni  duro,  ni 
bazo. 

Acá,  que  hay  olla. 

No  hay  buena  olla  con  agua  sola. 


There  is  no  rose  without  a  thorn. 

There  is  no  pleasure  without  alloy, 
no  rose  without  a  thorn. 

What  is  the  matter? 

There  is  no  reason  for  it. 

Don't  mention  it ;  you  are  wel- 
come. 

Everything  is  in  disorder. 

There  is  no  such  thing ;  it  is  false. 

Impossible  ;  I  cannot  do  it. 

There  is  no  such  thing. 

Once  upon  a  time. 

Not  long  since. 

Lately ;  a  short  time  since. 

That  was  a  long  time  ago. 

Some  time  ago. 

He  has  been  gone  a  long  while. 

To  consider  valid. 

We  set  out  with  fine  weather. 

It  looks  as  if  it  would  rain. 

The  walking  is  good,  or  bad. 

This  year  there  is  plenty  of  wheat. 

Farming  has  its  advantages  and  dis- 
advantages. 

There  is  nothing  I  can  eat. 

Two  sparrows  on  one  ear  of  corn 
never  agree. 

Nothing  venture,  nothing  have. 

A  hungry  man  does  not  find  fault 
with  his  food. 


Come  here ;  you«will  find  something 

pleasant. 
A  nourishing  dish  cannot  be  made 

with    water    alone     {i.e.,    proper 

means  must  be  taken  to  produce 

a  desired  result). 


SPAmSII  IDIOMS. 


109 


No  hay  olla  sin  tocino. 


Donde  no  hay  estacas,  no  hay  toci- 
nos. 

No  siempre  hay  tocinos  donde  hay 

estacas. 
No  haber  para  un  bocado. 
En  tiempo  de  higos,  no  hay  amigos. 


No  hay  peor  cuña  que  la  del  mismo 

palo. 
Habiendo   pregonado  vino,  venden 

vinagre. 
Jurado  ha  el  baño  de  negro  no  hacer 

blanco. 
No  hay  numen  sin  demencia. 
Sin  perseverancia  no  hay  victoria. 

He  estado  á  punto  de  morir  en  esta 

contienda. 
Casa  donde  no  hay  harina,  todo  se 

vuelve  tremolina. 
A  perro  viejo  no  hay  ¡  tus  !  ¡  tus  ! 
Entre   ruin   ganado   poco   hay  que 

excoger. 
En  casa  del  ahorcado  no  hay  que 

mentar  la  soga. 
Derecho  apurado,  tuerto  ha  tornado. 
No  haber  ó  no  quedar  lanza  enhiesta. 
No  haber  visto  la  cara  al  enemigo. 
A  muertos  y  á  idos  no  hay  amigos. 

Mas  dias  hay  que  longanizas. 

De  aqui  á  mañana  muchas  horas 
hay. 

De  memoria  de  hombre  no  hay  ejem- 
plo de  lo  contrario. 


Nothing  is  perfect  when  an  essential 
part  is  lacking.  (Also  a  reproach 
to  those  who  harp  continually  on 
one  subject.) 

Be  prepared  for  good  fortune  (where 
there  is  no  hook,  there  is  no 
bacon). 

Every  hook  has  not  its  flitch. 

There  is  scarcely  any  food. 

In  the  season  of  figs  no  one  remem- 
bers his  friends.  Prosperity  is  sel- 
fish. 

There  is  no  worse  enemy  than  an 
alienated  friend. 

After  having  cried  wine,  they  sell 
vinegar. 

Natural  characteristics  are  unchange- 
able. 

Genius  is  closely  allied  to  madness. 

Without  contest  there  is  no  vic- 
tory. 

I  came  near  being  killed  in  that  col- 
lision. 

When  po\'erty  comes  in  at  the  door, 
love  flies  out  at  the  window. 

An  old  bird  is  not  caught  wáth  chaff. 

There  is  litde  to  choose  between 
worthless  things. 

Do  not  talk  of  a  rope  in  the  house 
of  a  man  who  was  hanged. 

Justice  must  be  tempered  with  mercy. 

To  rout  an  enemy  completely  (mil.). 

Never  to  have  been  in  battle  (mil.). 

The  absent  must  always  bear  the 
blame. 

There  is  no  haste. 

Many  hours  come  between  now  and 
to-morrow. 

The  memory  of  man  runs  not  to 
the  contrary. 


lio 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


En  los  nidos  de  antaño  no  hay  paja- 
ros  hogaño. 

Haya  cebo  en  el  palomar,  que  palo- 
mas no  faltarán. 

Hay  mas  mal  en  la  aldehuela  que 
se  suena. 

Aquí  hay  gato  encerrado. 

Que  los  hay,  los  hay  ;  la  dificultad 
es  encontrarlos. 

No  haber  hombre  con  hombre. 

Haber  Moros  y  Cristianos. 

Haber  Mónteseos  y  Capeletes. 

Hay  un  zafarrancho. 

Hubo  toios  y  cañas. 

Haber  la  de  mazagatos,  ó  la  de  San 

Quinten. 
Haberlas,  ó  habérselas  con  alguno. 
No  hay  boda  sin  Doña  Toda. 
Haberlo  de  los  cascos. 
Del  bien  al  mal  no  hay  un  canto  de 

real. 
Debajo  del  sayal  hay  al. 
Cuando    la   sartén   chilla,    algo  hay 

en  la  villa. 
No  hay  olla  tan  fea  que  no  tenga  su 

cobertera. 
Debajo   de   una   mala  capa  hay   un 

buen  bebedor. 
Allá  se  lo  haya,  ó  se  las  haya  ;  allá  se 

lo  avenga  ;  allá  se  las  campaneen  ; 

allá  lo  veras. 
No  haber  en  que  tropezar. 
Por  do  quiera  hay  su  legua  de  mal 

camino. 
Haber  menester  tutor. 

i  Mas  acá  hay  posada  ! 
Sobre  negro  no  hay  tintura. 


Time  must  be  seized  by  the  forelock. 
In  time  of  prosperity  friends  abound. 

There  is  more  mischief  in  the  village 
than  comes  to  one's  ears. 

There  is  a  mystery  here. 

There  are  fools  ;  the  difficulty  is  to 
find  them  (ironical). 

To  be  at  variance,  or  to  quarrel. 

To  have  violent  and  angry  disputes. 

To  have  serious  disputes  and  con- 
tentions. 

There  is  a  great  noise,  confusion,  or 
squabbling. 

There  was  a  great  dispute. 

To  have  a  great  fight. 

To  dispute  or  contend  with  any  one. 
Some  people  are  stand-bys  in  society. 
To  be  cracked,  addle-pated. 
The  border-land  between  good  and 

evil  is  narrow. 
Do  not  judge  by  appearances. 
There  is  no  smoke  without  fire. 

There  is  no  person  or  thing  so  con- 
temptible as  to  be  utterly  useless. 

External  appearances  are  often  de- 
ceitful. 

There  you  are  in  the  wrong,  as  you 
will  see. 

Not  to  be  in  any  difficulty. 
Everything  has  its  difficulties. 

To  be  incapable  of  managing  one's 
affairs. 

How  he  exaggerates  ! 

It  is  difficult  to  correct  a  bad  char- 
acter, or  to  excuse  bad  actions. 


SPA  ¡VI sil  IDIOMS.  Ill 

No  hay  hombre  cuerdo  á  caballo.  There  are  few  who  are  ecjiial  to  an 

emergency. 

El   can   de   buena   ra/a   siempre   ha  One  who  is  truly  noble  remembers 

mientes  del  pan  y  la  caza.  favors    which    have    been    shown 

him. 

De  rico  á  soberbio  no   hay  palmo  The  step  fjom  riches  to  pride  is  but 

entero.  a  short  one. 

Á  lo  hecho  no  hay  remedio,  y  a  lo  Do  not  grieve  for  the  past,  but  take 

por  hacer  consejo.  more  care  for  the  future. 

No  haber  quebrado  un  plato.  Not  to  have  committed  a  crime. 

No  hay  cosa  mas  barata  que  la  que  Gifts   are  sometimes  costly  in    the 

se  compra.  end. 

Haber  á  uno  por  confeso.  To  confess  by  implication. 

No  hay  palabra  mal  dicha,  si  no  es  Nothing  is  ill  said,  if  it  be  not  ill 

mal  entendida.  taken. 

No  hay  peor  burla  que  la  verdadera.  There  is  no  worse  jest  than  a  bitter 

truth. 

Aun  no  ha  salido  del  cascarón,  y  ya  Scarce  hatched,  yet   thinks   himself 

tiene  presunción.  cock  of  the  walk. 

No  hay  que  irse  atrás.  Do  not  flinch. 

No    hay  estopas    para    tapar   tantas  One  cannot  silence  all  the  world. 

bocas. 

Donde  hay  gana,  hay  maña.  Where  there's  a  will,  there's  a  way. 

No  hay  peor  sordo  que  el  que  no  None  so  deaf  as  he  who  won't  hear. 

quiere  oir. 

Haber  grado.  To  give  thanks. 

No   hay  secreto   que    tarde  ó  tem-  There  is  no  secret  which  will  not  be 

prano  no  se  descubra.  known  sooner  or  later. 

Las  cosas   han    tomado   otro    sem-  Things  have  taken  a  different  course. 

blante  ;    ó  han   mudado  de  sem- 
blante. 

Al  alcornoque   no   hay  palo  que   le  Everything  has  a  counterpart. 

toque,  sino  la  encima  que  le  quie- 
bra la  costilla. 

Quien  bueyes  ha  perdido,  cencerros  To  entertain  unfounded  hopes. 

se  le  antojan. 

Mal  haya  el  romero  que  dice  mal  de  The  pilgrim  should  not  speak  ill  of 

su  bordón.  his  staff. 

Haber  ó  sobrar  tela  de  que  cortar.  To  have  a  superabundance  of  any- 
thing. 

No  hay  arbitrio  ;  ó  no  hay  esperanza.  There  is  no  chance. 


112 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Dos  linajes  hay  solo  en  el  mundo,  el 
"Tener,"  y  el  '-no  Tener." 

No  hay  orejas  para  cada  martes. 

Á  pobreza  no  hay  vergüenza. 

No  haberle  echado  á  alguno  paja  ni 

cebada. 
Hubo  una  gran  máquina  de  gente. 

Haberla  mala. 

No  hay  piedra  berroqueña  que  dur- 
ante año,  no  ande  lisa  al  pasamano. 
Hay  mas  que  agua. 

Hay  mar  gruesa  afuera ;  ó  hay  mar 

de  leva. 
No  hay  tal  madre  como  la  que  pare. 
Sobre  padre  no  hay  compadre. 

No  hay  mas  cera  que  la  que  arde. 

No  hay  nada  escrito  sobre  esto. 

Cuando  no  hubiera  mas  razón. 

En  este  mundo  cansado,  ni  hay  bien 

cumplido,  ni  mal  acabado. 
No  hay  regla  sin  excepción. 
No  hay  mejor  remiendo  que  el  del 

mismo  paño. 
Haberle  quitado  á  uno  los  mocos. 
No   hay  camino    tan   llano  que   no 

tenga  algún  tropezón  ó  barranco. 
Bien  haya  el  que  inventó  el  sueño. 
Hay  un  juicio. 

Haber  nacido  tarde. 

Á   caballo  presentado   no    hay  que 

mirarle  el  diente. 
He  de  hacer  un  largo  viaje. 


There  are  but  two  families  in  the 
world,  the  "  Haves "  and  the 
"Haven'ts." 

It  is  not  always  easy  to  avoid  diffi- 
culties. 

Poverty  is  no  shame. 

Not  to  know  a  person. 

There  was  a  great  concourse  of 
people. 

To  fail  in  an  enterprise. 

There  is  no  stone  so  rough  that  use 
will  not  smooth  it. 

There  is  something  not  unsubstan- 
tial there.     (He  is  rich.) 

There  is  a  heavy  sea  in  the  offing 
(nau.). 

There  is  no  mother  like  one's  own. 

There  is  no  love  so  complete  as  that 
of  parents. 

There  is  no  more  than  what  you 
see. 

It  may  not  be  so  written  ;  or,  there 
may  be  a  mistake  about  it. 

Although  there  was  no  other  reason. 

Happiness  and  misery  are  neither 
of  them  complete  in  this  world. 

There  is  no  rule  without  exception. 

Never  trust  to  another  what  you 
can  do  yourself. 

To  have  brought  up  a  person. 

There  is  no  road  so  even  as  not  to 
have  stumbling-places. 

Blessings  on  him  who  invented  sleep. 

There  is  a  confused  multitude  of 
persons  or  things. 

To  be  deficient  in  knowledge  or  in- 
telligence. 

Never  look  a  gift  horse  in  the  mouth. 

I  have  to  make  a  long  journey. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


113 


No  hay  cenadura  si  es  de  oro  la 
ganzúa. 

Sobre  gustos  no  hay  disputa. 

No  hay  caballo,  por  bueno  que  sea, 
(jue  no  tropiece. 

El  no  haber  novedad  es  l)uena  noti- 
cia. 

Cuando  la  puerta  es  baja,  hay  que 
agacharse. 

No  hay  que  extrañar. 

No  hay  busiUs,  ó  faltan  los  busilis. 

En  mal  de  muerte,  no  hay  médico 
que  acierte. 

No  haber  mas  que  pedir. 

Se  han  dado  palabra. 

El  plazo  se  ha  cumplido. 

Haya    buena    cuenta,    y    blanca    no 

parezca. 
No  hay  quince  años  feos. 
No    hay  mas  que    abrir  los   ojos   y 

mirar. 
No  hay  mejor  espejo   que   el  amigo 

viejo. 
Compuesta  no  hay  mujer  fea. 

No  hay  que  darle  vueltas. 
Hablar  Dios  á  alguno. 
Hablar  bien  criado. 
Hablar  hso  y  llano. 
Hablar  al  alma. 
Hablar  en  globo. 
Hablar  al  caso. 
Hablar  en  plata. 
Hablar  al  oido. 
No  hablarse. 

Hablar  por  alguno. 
Hablar  con  el  dedo. 
Hablar  á  coros. 
Ni  hablar,  ni  pablar. 


There  is  no  lock  which  a  golden  key 

will  not  open. 
There  is  no  accounting  for  taste. 
A  man  is  not  wise  at  all  times. 

No  news  is  good  news. 

He  who  would    enter   a   low  door 

must  stoop. 
No  wonder. 
To  be  penniless. 
We  must  bow  to  the  inevitable. 

It  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired. 

They  are  engaged  to  be  married. 

The  term  (for  payment)  has  ex- 
pired. 

Accounts  must  be  carefully  kept, 
even  where  no  cash  is  paid. 

Youth  has  always  some  beauty. 

One  needs  but  to  see  in  order  to 
admire. 

The  best  mirror  is  the  face  of  an 
old  friend. 

No  woman  is  ill  -  looking  if  well 
dressed. 

This  cannot  be  changed. 

To  be  inspired  by  God. 

To  speak  as  a  well-bred  person. 

To  speak  frankly  and  openly. 

To  speak  plainly  and  fearlessly. 

To  speak  summarily. 

To  speak  to  the  point-. 

To  speak  clearly,  without  ambiguity. 

To  whisper. 

To  refrain  from  speaking  (in  a  quar- 
rel). 

To  intercede  for  any  one. 

To  speak  as  a  master,  with  authority. 

To  speak  alternately. 

Not  to  open  one's  lips  ;  to  be  com- 
pletely silent. 


114 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Cada  uno  habla,  como  quien  es. 

Hablar  desde  la  talanquera. 
Hablar  entre  si  ó  consigo. 

Hablen  cartas  y  callen  barbas. 

Hablar  en  romance. 

Hablar  lobos. 

Á  quien  no  habla,  no  le  oye  Dios. 


Hablar  de  mecha. 

Líbrate  de  hombre  que  no  habla,  y 

de  can  que  no  ladra. 
Hablar  por  señas. 

Habló  el  buey,  y  dijo  "  mú." 


Hablar  al  gesto,  ó  al  paladar. 
Hablar  de  oposición. 

Hablar  de  talanquera. 
Hablar  con  lengua  de  plata. 

Hablar  de  volatería. 

Hablar  desde  la  ventana. 

A  mucho  hablar,  mucho  errar. 

Hablar  de  veras. 

Hablar  en  Vascuence. 

Hablarlo  todo. 

Hablar  de  vicio. 

Hablar  por  demás. 
Hablar  de  la  mar. 
Hablar  al  aire. 


Each  one  speaks  according  to  his 
lights. 

To  speak  with  security,  impunity. 

To  commune  with  one's  self;  to 
reflect  silently. 

We  must  have  less  talking  and  more 
doing. 

To  speak  out  ;  to  speak  plainly. 

There  is  risk  in  it. 

God  does  not  hear  those  who  do  not 
speak  ;  those  who  do  not  ask,  can- 
not expect  to  receive. 

To  speak  in  jest. 

Beware  a  crafty  man,  or  a  silent 
dog. 

To  make  one's  self  understood  by 
gestures. 

When  the  ox  spoke,  he  said  "  moo  "  ; 
when  fools  talk,  they  talk  non- 
sense. 

To  speak  flatteringly. 

To  speak  in  a  sonorous  and  careful 
\\'ay. 

To  find  fault  with  an  absent  person. 

To  speak  with  a  silver  tongue  ;  to 
try  to  gain  one's  object  by  bribes. 

To  talk  in  a  wandering,  desultory 
manner. 

To  criticise  from  a  safe  distance. 

Much  talking,  much  erring. 

To  be  candid  (in  an  unpleasant 
sense). 

To  speak  Spanish  unintelligibly, 
brokenly   (as  in  Biscay). 

To  tattle  ;  to  gossip  ;  to  speak  with- 
out discretion. 

To  be  loquacious,  an  empty  chat- 
terer. 

To  speak  to  no  purpose. 

To  talk  on  an  endless  subject. 

To  sjieak  idly  or  vaguely. 


SJ^AAVS/J  IDIOMS. 


115 


Hablar  por  hablar 

Hablar  j)or  las  coyunturas,  ó  por  los 

codos. 
Hablar  en  común. 
Hablar  á  destajo. 
Hablar  de  memoria. 
Hablar  ú  obrar  á  humo  de  i>ajas. 
Hablar  de  cabeza. 

Hablar  á  tontas  y  á  locas,  ó  á  cieg3.s. 
Hablar  á  borbortones. 
Hablar  de  hilván. 
Hablar  entre  dientes. 
Hablar  danzante. 
Hablar  en  cadencia. 
Hablar  de  burlas,  ó  de  chanza. 
Hablar  gordo. 
Hablar  recio. 

Tener  á  menos  hablar  á  uno. 
Hablar  de  ó  en  bóveda,  ó  de  papo. 
Hablar  por  boca  de  ganso. 

De  la  abundancia  del  corazón  habla 

la  boca. 
Eso  se  hace  cuando  á  Dios  place. 

Hacer  nombre  de  Dios. 
El  ejercicio  hace  maestro. 
He  hecho  venir  al  médico. 
Comida  hecha,  compañia  deshecha. 


Hacer  mal  barato. 

Hacer  estudio  de  alguna  cosa. 

Hecha  la  ley,  hecha  la  trampa. 

Algo  ajeno  no  hace  heredero. 

La  ocasión  hace  al  ladrón. 

Le  hicieron  un  tiro  de  cien  pesos. 

Lo  que  de  noche  se  hace,  á  la  mañana 
aparece. 


To  talk  for  the  sake  of  talking. 
To  talk  excessively. 

To  talk  indiscriminately. 

To  speak  at  random. 

To  talk  without  reflection. 

To  speak  or  act  without  reflection. 

To  speak  without  reason. 

To  speak  without  rhyme  or  reason. 

To  speak  rapidly  and  indistinctly. 

To  gabble. 

To  mutter  ;  to  mumble. 

To  stammer. 

To  speak  in  a  sing-song  tone. 

To  jest,  or  mock. 

To  boast  ;  bluster  ;  speak  thickly. 

To  talk  loudly,  pompously. 

Not  to  deign  to  speak  to  a  person. 

To  speak  pompously  or  arrogantlv. 

To  echo  what  another  has  said  (to 
speak  by  the  mouth  of  a  goose). 

Out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart 
the  mouth  speaketh. 

Nothing  happens  without  God's  per- 
mission. 

To  begin  a  thing. 

Practice  makes  perfect. 

I  have  called  the  doctor. 

The  meal  eaten,  the  company  de- 
serted (/.¿'.,  to  desert  those  from 
whom  no  more  is  to  be  expected) . 

To  act  wrongly. 

To  act  artfully,  craftily. 

No  sooner  is  a  law  made  than  a  \\ay 
is  found  to  elude  it. 

Ill-gotten  inheritances  never  prosper. 

Opportunity  makes  the  thief. 

They  robbed  him  of  a  hundred  dol- 
lars. 

What  the  night  covers,  the  day  dis- 
covers ;  murder  will  out. 


116 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


No  hace  tanto  la  zorra  en  un  año 
como  paga  en  una  hora. 

Hacerse  pedazos  el  vestido. 

Hecho  un  Adán. 

Hacerse  pedazos. 

Hacer  andrajos  ó  pedazos. 

Hacer  gigote  de  alguna  cosa. 

Hacer  añicos. 

Hacer  tajadas. 

Hacer  piezas. 

Hacerse  ceniza  alguna  cosa. 

Perdonar  hecho  y  por  hacer. 

Hacer  la  barba. 

Hacer  mal  de  ojo. 

Olla  sin  sal,  haz  cuenta  que  no  tiene 

manjar. 
Hacer  la  salva. 
Hacer  salva  de  aplausos. 
Hambre  y  esperar  hacen  rabiar. 
Hacer  sed. 
Hacer  las  once. 
Hacer  la  costa  á  alguno. 
Ese  te  hizo  rico  que  te  hizo  el  pico. 

Hacer  estómago  á  alguna  cosa. 

Hacer  pascua. 

Hacer  por  la  vida. 

Hacer  agua  la  boca. 

Hacer  plato. 

Hacer  penitencia  con  alguno. 

Hacer  boca. 

Hacerle  á  alguno  la  alforja. 

Hacer  mochila. 

Hacer  la  cuenta  sin  la  huéspeda. 

Hacerse  tortilla. 

Hacer  la  mañana. 

Hacerse  cargo  de  alguna  cosa. 


Craft  and  crime  may  succeed  tem- 
porarily, but  the  day  of  retribu- 
tion is  sure  to  come. 

To  get  one's  dress  torn. 

In  tattered  clothes. 

To  fall  to  pieces. 

To  tear  to  rags  or  pieces. 

To  cut  or  break  into  small  pieces. 

To  break  into  fragments. 

To  destroy  ;  to  break  into  fragments. 

To  break  to  pieces. 

To  destroy. 

To  be  too  indulgent. 

To  shave. 

To  fascinate. 

Imperfect  things  are  of  little  use. 

To  drink  one's  health. 

To  give  a  round  of  applause. 

Hunger  and  delay  exasperate. 

To  induce  thirst. 

To  lunch. 

To  give  a  person  food  and  drink. 

It  is  easy  to  save  money  if  one  has 
not  to  pay  for  one's  board. 

To  make  up  one's  mind  to  bear 
what  may  come. 

To  begin  to  eat  meat  after  Lent. 

To  eat  something. 

To  make  one's  mouth  water. 

To  carve  ;  to  help  to  a  dish  at  table. 

To  take  pot  luck  ;  to  do  penance. 

.To  take  an  appetizer. 

To  fill  one's  saddle-bags  with  pro- 
visions. 

To  provide  for  a  journey. 

To  reckon  without  one's  host. 

To  fall  flat  as  a  pancake. 

To  take  a  morning  draught. 

To  take  charge  of  anything  ;  to  take 
into  consideration. 


SJ'AÁ'IS/I  IDIOMS. 


117 


Hacerse  cargo  de  un  negocio. 
Hacer  apartadijos. 
Hacer  cala  y  cata. 

Se  hizo  el  seguro  á  tres  por  ciento. 

Hacer  inciuisición. 

Hacer  el  diablo  á  cuatro. 

No  hacerse  la  boda  de  horros,  ó  no 

de  buenos  ducados  redondos,  ó  de 

buenos  bollos  redondos. 
Hacer  romana. 
Dinero  olvidado,  ni  hace  merced  ni 

grado. 
Hacer  las  veces  de  otro. 
Hacer  las  partes. 

Hacer  la  cama  á  un  negocio. 

Hacer  milagros. 

Hacer  juego  ;  ó  hacer  eco. 

Hacer  plaza. 

Hacer  barato. 

Hacer  buena  alguna  cantidad. 

Hacer  arcas. 

Hacer  la  pela. 

Hacer  gasto. 

Hacer  resto. 

Hacer  fortuna. 

Hacer  hombre  á  alguno. 

Hacerse  rico. 

Hacer  la  cuenta  de  la  vieja. 

Hacerse  ó  ser  el  gallo. 

Duelos   me  hicieron  negra,  que   yo 

blanca  me  era. 
Hacerse  sal  y  agua. 
Hacer  sala. 


To  take  charge  of  a  business. 
To  divide  the  whole  into  shares. 
To  e.xamine  the  quantity  and  quality 

of  a  thing. 
The  insurance  was  effected  at  three 

per  cent. 
To    examine    books    or   papers    in 

order  to  burn  some  of  them. 
To  make  great  efforts  for  success. 
Great   things  can  only  be   done  at 

great  cost. 

To  balance. 

Useful  things   become  worthless   if 
unused. 

To  supply  a  person's  place. 

To  act  in  the  place  of  another  per- 
son. 

To  take  the  necessary  steps  for  the 
success  of  an  affair. 

To  excel  in  any  occupation. 

To  be  well  matched. 

To  sell  at  retail. 

To  sell  below  value. 

To  pay  money  due. 

To  open  the  coffers. 

To  praise  one's  wares. 

To  spend. 

To  agree  upon  a  fixed  amount  to  be 
won  or  lost  (gambling). 

To  acquire  money  or  position. 

To  make  one's  fortune. 

To  become  rich. 

To  reckon  on  one's  fingers. 

To  become  the  leader  of  a  meeting 
or  body. 

Troubles  v/eigh  heavily  upon  one,  no 
matter  how  strong  he  may  be. 

To  melt  away  (speaking  of  riches). 

To  form  a  quorum  ;    to   dance   at- 
tendance. 


lis 


SFA.VISH  IDIOMS. 


Hacer  una  larga  mansión. 

Hacer  alto. 

Hacer  buena  travesía. 

Hacer  cuarentena. 

Hacer  venta. 

Hacer  pié. 

Hacer  correrías. 

Hacer  la  maleta. 

Hacer  calle. 

Hacer  rancho. 

Hacerle  la  cama  á  alguno. 
Hacerse  tarde. 
Hacer  hora. 
Hacer  tiempo. 
Hacer  la  pacotilla. 
Hacer  la  ventana. 
Hace  ocho  dias. 
Pronto  hará  diez  años. 
Haga  buen  ó  mal  tiempo. 
Hacer  rajas. 

Hecho  á  machete. 

Hacer  la  acechona. 

La  mujer  algarera  nunca  hace  larga 

tela. 
Hacer  á  pluma  y  á  pelo. 

¿  Que  haces  bobo  ?  Bobeo  ;  escribo 
lo  que  me  deben,  y  borro  lo  que 
debo. 

Necios  y  porfiados  hacen  ricos  á  los 
letrados. 

El  necio  hace  al  fin  lo  que  el  dis- 
creto al  principio. 

Quien  mal  hace,  obrero  coge. 

Á  la  mujer  y  á  la  viña  el  hombre  la 
hace  garrida. 

Quien  bien  te  hará,  ó  se  te  irá  ó  se 
te  morirá. 


To  make  a  long  stay. 

To  sto}). 

To  ha\-e  a  good  passage. 

To  perform  quarantine. 

To  stop  at  a  poor  inn. 

To  make  a  stay  in  a  place. 

To  make  excursions. 

To  pack  up  ;  to  be  off. 

To  make  way. 

To  make  room,  or  to  make  pro- 
vision. 

To  pa\e  the  way  for  one. 

To  grow  late. 

To  wait. 

To  wait  for  an  opportunity. 

To  make  preparations  for  departure. 

To  be  constantly  at  the  window. 

Eight  days  ago. 

It  will  soon  be  ten  years. 

Be  it  rain  or  shine. 

To  chop  or  dress  lumber  in  an  un- 
workmanlike way. 

Roughly  made. 

To  scrutinize  ;  to  be  inquisitive. 

A  gossiping  woman  works  but  little. 

To  take  a  poor  thing  for  lack  of  a 

good  one. 
The  selfish  care  only  for  their  own 

interests. 

Fools    and   obstinate   people   make 

the  lawyers  rich. 
The  fool  must  do  at  last  what  the 

wise  man  did  at  first. 
Idlers    pay   others    for    doing   what 

they  should  do  for  themselves. 
The  care  of  husband  or  husbandman 

is  visible  in  the  appearance  of  a 

wife  or  a  vineyard. 
Unlucky   people    always    have    bad 

luck. 


Sr.lXISIJ   ID/ QMS. 


119 


Hacer  las  cusas  a  troche  y  moche. 
Donde  fuego  se  hace,  humo  sale. 

Hacer  el  sueco. 

Haeer  ])ucheros. 

Poca  hiél  hace  amarga  mucha  miel. 

Hacer  soga. 


No  hacer  cosa  á  derecho. 
Hacer  buena  una  cosa. 
Hacer  bueno  á  alguno. 

Haz  de  ese  caldo  tajadas. 

Al  capón  que  se  hace  gallo,  azotallo. 

Hacer  cola. 

Hacer  algo  arrastrando. 

Madre  ardida  hace  hija  tolida. 

Quien  ha  las  hechas  tiene  las  sospe- 
chas. 

Quien  en  ruin  lugar  hace  viña,  á 
cuestas  saca  la  vendimia. 

Hacer  frió,  ó  calor. 

Hace  un  valiente  frió. 

Hace  sorna. 

Hacer  el  caballo  al  fuego. 

Hacer  frente. 

Hacer  la  encerrona. 

Hacer  tijera. 

Hacer  un  bodijo. 

Hacer  una  de  pópulo  bárbaro. 

Hacer  San  Juan. 

Hacer  retroceder. 

Hacer  de  alguno  cera  y  pabilo. 


To  do  things  at  random. 

Where  there  is  a  lire  there  will  surely 
be  smoke. 

Not  to  understand  (from  inattention 
or  stupidity). 

To  snivel  ;  to  fret. 

A  little  gall  will  spoil  a  great  deal  of 
honey. 

To  remain  behinil  one's  company  ; 
to  introduce  improper  subjects 
in  conversation. 

To  do  nothing  rightly. 

To  prove  a  thing. 

To  be  still  worse  than  another,  who 
is  known  to  be  bad. 

To  ask  for  an  impossibility. 

Unfounded  pride  deserves  punish- 
ment. 

To  be  the  last  of  all. 

To  do  something  unwillingly. 

Over-industry  in  the  mother  causes 
idleness  in  the  daughter. 

People  who  a,re  themselves  bad,  gen- 
erally think  ill  of  others. 

He  who  sows  in  a  poor  soil  cannot 
expect  good  harvests. 

To  be  cold,  or  warm. 

It  is  excessively  cold. 

Suffocating  heat  prevails. 

To  accustom  the  horse  to  fire  (mil.). 

To  make  head  against  ;  to  resist. 

To  withdraw  from  society  for  a  sin- 
ister purpose. 

To  grind  the  bit  between  the  teeth 
(horses). 

To  make  a  bad  marriage. 

To  take  a  desperate  resolution. 

To  leave  a  place  before  the  stipu- 
lated time  (said  of  sen^ants). 

To  push  back. 

To  turn  a  person  round  one's  fingers. 


120 


SF.4.V/S//  IDIOMS. 


Hacer  perder  completamente  la  es- 
peranza. 
Hacer  costilla,  ó  costillas. 

Hacer  corrales. 

Hacer  causa. 
Hacer  sombra. 

Fué  hecho  prisionero. 
No  hacer  cosa  á  derechas. 
Hacer  buena  ó  mala  harina. 
Me  ha  hecho  una  mala  jugada. 
Hacer  á  todo. 
Hacer  opinión. 

Hacer  distinción. 
Hacer  los  ojos  telarañas. 
Hacer,  ó  hacerse  presente. 

Hacer  hablar  á  un  instrumento. 

Hacer  madeja. 

Hacer  cuerpo  presente. 

De  escarmentados  se  hacen  los  avisa- 
dos ;  de  los  escarmentados  nacen 
los  arteros,  ó  el  escarmentado  bien 
conoce  el  vado. 

Lo  que  no  se  hace  á  la  boda,  no  se 
hace  á  toda  hora. 

Hacer  castillos  en  el  aire. 

Hacer  impresión. 

De  menos  nos  hizo  Dios. 

Hecho  á  torno. 

No  hacemos  moneda  falsa. 

No  hacer  moneda  falsa. 


To  relinquish  all  hope. 

To  bear  the  brunt ;  to  bear  with 
patience  ;  to  suffer. 

To  loiter  about  in  business  hours,  or 
school  time. 

To  bring  an  action  (legal). 

To  protect ;  to  impede  ;  to  obscure  , 
to  outshine. 

He  was  taken  prisoner. 

To  do  everything  wrong. 

To  act  well  or  ill. 

He  has  played  me  an  ill  turn. 

To  be  fit  for  anything. 

To  form  an  opinion ;  to  be  an  au- 
thority. 

To  select. 

To  have  the  eyes  dazed. 

To  consider  one  as  present ;  to  place 
one's  self  before  another. 

To  play  an  instrument  with  expres- 
sion. 

To  be  ropy  (said  of  liquors). 

To  attend  a  meeting  without  taking 
part  in  it. 

Experience  teaches  wisdom. 


If  you  must  ask  a  favor  of  a  person, 

do  it  when  he  is  in  a  happy  mood. 
To  build    castles   in   the   air,   or   in 

Spain. 
To  have  something  on  one's  mind, 

or  heart. 
The  desire  for  something  great,  or 

difficult  of  attainment. 
A  well-formed  person. 
Our  conversation  is  not  private  ;  you 

may  listen  if  you  like. 
To  say  what  is  true. 


SFAiVISII  IDIOMS. 


121 


Hacer  punta. 

Hacer  punto. 

Hacer  merienda  de  negros. 

Hacer  palacio. 

Hacer  corro. 

Hacer  corro  aparte. 

Hacerse  alguna  cosa  sin  desgracia. 

La  coz  de  la  yegua  no  hace  mal  al 

potro. 
Hacer  combas. 

Hacer  papel. 

Hacer  ó  poner  de  su  parte. 
Hecho  al  trabajo. 
Hacer  espaldas. 
Hacer  dormir. 

Hacer  un  sueño. 
Hecho  una  sopa  de  agua. 
Hacerse  una  zarpa. 
Hacer  la  vista  gorda  .  .  . 
Hacer  raya. 

Hacer  fuerza  de  remos. 
Hacer  clavo. 

Haz  por  venir. 

Hacerse  á  un  lugar. 

Hacerse  atrás. 

Hacer  caediza  una  cosa. 

La  pared  hace  barriga. 

Hacer  calendarios. 

Hacerse  de  rogar. 

Hacerse  capaz  de  algiuia  cosa. 

Hacer  calceta  ó  malla. 
Hacer  labor. 
Hacer  labores. 


To  be  the  first ;  to  lead. 

To  stop  reading,  or  talking. 

To  make  a  confusion. 

To  improve  one's  position ;  to  dis- 
close what  was  concealed. 

To  form  a  group. 

To  form  a  new  party. 

To  accomplish  something  success- 
fully. 

Friendly  reproof  does  no  harm. 

To  bend  and  distort  the  body  from 
side  to  side. 

To  cut  a  figure  ;  to  personate  ;  to 
act  the  part  of  another. 

To  try  ;   to  endeavor. 

Inured  to  labor  and  hardship. 

To  bear  ;  to  endure. 

To  bring  about  sleep ;  to  put  to 
sleep. 

To  dream. 

Wet  through  to  the  skin. 

To  get  very  wet. 

To  wink  at  ... ;  to  connive  at  .  .  . 

To  be  remarkable ;  to  outshine 
others. 

To  pull  hard  with  the  oars. 

To  set  (applied  to  mortar  or  plas- 
ter). 

Try  to  come. 

To  accustom  one's  self  to  a  place. 

To  fall  back. 

To  let  a  thing  fall  designedly. 

The  wall  bulges  out. 

To  muse. 

To  wait  to  be  urged. 

To  make  one's  self  master  of  a 
subject. 

To  knit. 

To  sew. 

To  take  steps  toward  an  end. 


122 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Hacer  cabeza. 
Hacer  bando  á  parte. 
Haré  lo  que  sea  de  raí  agrado. 
El  nos  hizo  entrar. 
Hacerse  á  las  armas. 

Hacer  ó  cansar  armonía. 

Si  hiciera  la  trampa. 

Hacer  de  agua  una  cosa. 

Hacer  la  cama. 

Hacer  cama. 

Hacer  una  cosa  con  tiempo. 

Hacer  una  tirada  de  mil  ejemplares 

de  un  libro. 
Hacerse  memorable. 
Hacerse  á  una  cosa. 
Hacer  el  cuerpo  al  agua. 
Hacerse  una  cosa  con  bendición. 
Hacer  penetrar. 
Hacer  de  todo. 
Hacer  bodoques. 
Hacer  besamanos. 
Hacer  lugar. 
Hacer  de  escribano. 
Hacer  saber. 
Hacer  chazas. 
Hacerse  añicos. 

Hacer  almanaques. 

Hacer  saltar  chispas. 

Hacerse  de  una  cosa. 

Hacer  niebla. 

¿Que  resta  que  hacer,  ó  por  hacer? 

i  No  hagas  caso  ! 

Hacer  por  hacer. 

Hacer  volver. 

Hacer  casta. 

Hacer  las  diligencias  de  cristiano. 
Por  donde  fueres,  haz  como  vieres. 


To  be  the  leader. 

To  dissolve  a  connection. 

I  shall  do  just  as  I  please. 

He  called  us  in. 

To  accustom  one's  self  to  do  a 
thing. 

To  excite  admiration. 

If  fate  should  decree. 

To  wash  a  thing  before  using  it. 

To  make  up  the  bed. 

To  keep  one's  bed. 

To  do  a  thing  at  one's  leisure. 

To  strike  off  a  thousand  copies  of  a 
book. 

To  become  famous  or  remarkable. 

To  become  accustomed  to  a  thing. 

To  accustom  one's  self  to  the  water. 

To  accomplish  an  affair  satisfactorily. 

To  strike  in. 

To  be  ready  for  anything. 

To  be  dead. 

To  make  a  polite  salute. 

To  clear  a  space. 

To  act  as  notary. 

To  acquaint ;  to  make  known. 

To  curvet  (horses). 

To  take  great  pains  in  doing  any- 
thing. 

To  be  pensive,  silent,  musing. 

To  strike  a  light. 

To  provide  one's  self  with  a  thing. 

To  become  misty  or  hazy. 

What  is  now  to  be  done  ? 

Never  mind  ! 

To  do  for  the  sake  of  doing. 

To  recall. 

To  procure  a  particular  breed  of 
animals. 

To  perform  the  duty  of  a  christian. 

When  you  are  in  Rome,  do  as  the 
Romans  do. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


123 


Hacerse  conocer. 

Hacer  ventaja. 

Hacer  antesala.  ' 

Dos  y  dos  hacen  cuatro. 

Hace  aire. 

Hacer  su  agosto. 

Hacer  humo. 

Hacer  hacer,  ó  mandar  hacer. 

Hacer  venir. 

Hacer  saber. 

Hacerse  atrás. 

Hacer  ánimo,  ó  intención. 

Hacer  terrero. 

Hacer  sah-a  de  aplausos. 

Hacer  figura. 

Hacer  figuras  ;  hacer  buche  ó  gestos. 

Hacer    visajes,     ó    invenciones,     ó 

pucheros. 
Hacer  gestos  á  alguna  cosa. 
Hacer  un  mal  recado. 
Hacer  buena  hacienda. 

Hacer  hacienda. 
Hacer  cerrada. 

Hacer  burla. 

Hacer  fisga  de  alguno. 

Hacer  plato  de  alguno. 

Hacer  chacota  de  alguna  cosa. 
Hacer  domingo. 
Hacer  á  uno  su  dominguillo. 
El  hizo  una  de  las  suyas. 
Hacer  monas  á  alguno. 

Hacerse  el  tonto. 
Un  loco  hace  ciento. 


To  make  one's  self  known ;  to  put 
one's  self  forward. 

To  exceed  ;  to  surpass. 

To  await  an  audience  ;  to  dance  at- 
tendance. 

Two  and  two  make  four. 

The  wind  blows. 

To  make  hay  while  the  sun  shines. 

To  smoke. 

To  cause  to  be  made  ;  to  order  a 
thing. 

To  order  a  thing  to  be  sent ;  to 
oblige  one  to  come. 

To  inform. 

To  move  backward  ;  to  go  back. 

To  intend ;  to  make  up  one's  mind. 

To  court  a  w-oman. 

To  give  a  round  of  applause. 

To  figure  ;  to  makq  a  figure. 

To  make  grimaces. 

To  make  wry  faces. 

To  despise  a  thing. 
To  make  a  blunder. 
To   fall   into  an  error ;    a  fine  job  ! 

(ironical). 
To  mind  one's  business. 
To  commit  a  gross  fault,  or  palpable 

mistake. 
To  make  fun  of;   to  ridicule. 
To  make  fun  of  any  one. 
To  make  one  the  object  of  ridicule, 

or  censure. 
To  turn  a  thing  into  ridicule. 
To  pass  a  week-day  idly. 
To  make  a  person  a  laughing-stock. 
He  played  one  of  his  pranks. 
To  jeer  at  a  person  ;  to  put  one  to 

shame. 
To  play  the  fool. 
One  fool  makes  many. 


124 


SPANISH  IDIOMS 


Hacer  fiesta. 
Hacer  fiestas. 

Hacer  cocos  ;  ó  hacer  la  rueda. 

Hacer  la  copla  á  alguno. 

Hacer  el  buz. 

Hacer  la  rueda  á  alguno. 

Hacer  la  gatatumba. 

Hacer  cuentas  alegres. 

Quien  te  hace  fiestas,  te  ha  de  me- 
nester ;  ó  este  huevo  quiere  sal. 
Hacer  ceribones. 
Hacer  la  zalá. 
Hacer  saber  alguna  cosa. 
Hacer  bajar  los  ojos,  ó  las  orejas. 

No  hacer  alto. 
Hacer  vanidad. 

Hacer  alarde  de  ;  hacer  de  persona. 
Hacer  gala. 
Hacer  de  garganta. 
Hacer  gala  del  Sambenito. 
El  buey  bravo  en  tierra  ajena  se  hace 
manso. 

Hacer  de  tripas  corazón. 
Hacer  buenas  ó  malas  migas 
Hacer  falta. 

Hacer  flatillo. 
Hacer  orejas  de  mercader. 
Fulano  me  ha  hecho  una  jiba. 
Hacer  extremos. 

Hacerse  con  una  cosa. 
Hacerse  uno  cargo  de  algo. 
Hacer  ó  tener  concilio. 
Hacer  ir  al  rollo. 
Hacer  avergonzarse. 
Hacer  zumbar  las  orejas. 


To  make  a  holiday. 

To  fondle  ;  to  flatter  ;  to  cajole  ;  to 

fawn. 
To  flatter,  wheedle,  or  cajole. 
To  flatter  a  person. 
To  pay  servile  respect. 
To  flatter  a  person  for  a  purpose. 
To  pretend  friendship  or  reverence. 
To  flatter  one's  self  with  vain  hopes 

of  success. 
Too  much  courtesy ;  too  much  craft. 

To  pay  affected  compliments. 

To  pay  homage. 

To  let  a  person  know  a  thing. 

To  disconcert;  to  make  one  abashed; 
to  humble  one. 

To  overlook  ;  not  to  observe. 

To  boast  of  anything. 

To  boast  of;  to  brag. 

To  glory  in  one's  own  deeds. 

To  boast  of  being  a  good  singer. 

To  boast  of  one's  ill  deeds. 

One  who  blusters  at  home  may  be 
very  meek  where  others  have 
authority. 

To  pluck  up  courage  ;  to  bluster. 

To  agree  or  disagree. 

To  be  unpunctual ;  to  disappoint ; 
to  be  necessary. 

To  speak  ill  of  a  person. 

To  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  any  one. 

Such  an  one  has  wearied  me. 

To  caress  ;  to  manifest  grief  or  dis- 
pleasure. 

To  obtain  a  thing  rightly  or  wrongly. 

To  take  upon  one's  self. 

To  hold  unlaw-ful  meetings. 

To  discharge  a  person. 

To  put  to  the  blush  ;  to  frown  down. 

To  sting  by  sharp  reproach. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


\li 


I  lacer  llevar  poste. 

Hacer  mala  vecindad. 

No  hacer  carrera  á  un  ciego. 

Hacer  aire  á  alguna. 
Hacer  á  uno  perder  los  estribos. 
Hacer  un  flaco  servicio,  ó  malos  ser- 
vicios. 
Hacer  á  una  morder  el  ajo. 

Hacer  morisquetas. 
Hacer  agua  de  cerrajas. 

Hacer  la  cuenta  con  la  almohada. 

Hacer  la  seráfica. 

Hacer  perdediza  una  cosa. 

Hacer  de  bobo. 

Hacer  encorvada,  ó  hacer  derrengó. 

Hacer  la  despatarrada. 

Hacer  la  mortecina. 

Hacer  que  se  hace. 

Hacer  la  gata  ensogada,  ó  la  gata 

muerta. 
Hacer  ó  levantar  figura. 
Hacerse  de  nuevas. 
Hacer  la  temblona. 
Hacer  gracias. 
Hacerse  alcanzadizo. 
Hacerse  chiquito. 

Hacerse  olvidadizo. 
Hacer  memoria. 

Hacer  misterio. 

Hacer  de  tripas  corazón. 

Hágase    el    milagro,    y    hágalo    el 

diablo. 
Hacer  mesa  gallega. 

Hacerle  á  uno  un  hijo  macho. 


To  keep  a  person  waiting. 
To  be  a  troublesome  neighbor. 
Not  to  show  the  way  to  one  who  has 

lost  it. 
To  vex  or  torment  any  one. 
To  make  one  lose  his  temper. 
To  do  an  ill  turn. 

To  mortify  any  one  by  disappointing 

his  hopes. 
To  play  a  trick. 
To   throw  a  wet  blanket   on   one's 

hopes. 
To  take  counsel  of  one's  pillow  ;  to 

consider  carefully. 
To  play  the  angel  for  a  purpose. 
To  pretend  that  something  is  lost. 
To  counterfeit  idiocy. 
To  malinger. 
To  feign  illness  or  death. 
To  feign  death. 
To  pretend  to  be  busy. 
To  feign  humility. 

To  assume  an  air  of  importance. 

To  affect  ignorance. 

To  affect  timidity. 

To  pretend  to  be  facetious. 

To  affect  ignorance. 

To  pretend  to  be  modest ;  to  con- 
ceal one's  knowledge. 

To  feign  forgetfulness. 

To  remind  ;  to  put  in  mind  ;  to  re- 
member. 

To  make  a  mystery. 

To  pluck  up  heart. 

The  merit  of  a  deed  is  not  lessened 
by  the  obscurity  of  the  doer. 

To  win  all  a  person's  money  in 
gambling. 

To  weary  a  person  with  foolish  talking. 


126 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


No  me  hagas  tanto  que  ... 
Hacer  caer. 
Hacer  cerrada. 
Hacer  guerra. 
Hacer  campo. 

Hacer  cara. 
Hacer  carnicería. 
Hacerse  las  narices. 

Hacer  la  mostaza. 

Hacer  huir. 

Hacer  salir  ó  brotar. 

Haces  mal,  espera  otro  tal. 

Hacer  una  pella. 
Hacer  flux. 

Hacer  prenda. 

No  hará  casa  con  azulejos. 

Hacer  bancarrota. 

Hacer  estudio  de  alguna  cosa. 

Hacerla  á  alguno. 

Hacer  entrar  á  uno  por  el  arillo. 

Hacer  la  puente  de  plata. 

Hacer  furo. 

Hacer  carne  y  sangre  de  alguna  cosa. 

Hacer  del  ladrón  fiel. 

Quien  hace  un  cesto,  hará  ciento. 


Hacer  ojo. 
Hacerse  ojos. 
Hacer  del  ojo. 

Hacer  eco. 


Do  not  trouble  me,  or  I  will  .  .  . 

To  strike  down. 

To  commit  a  gross  fault. 

To  wage  war. 

To  clear  the  way  ;  to  engage  in  close 
combat. 

To  face  an  enemy. 

To  wound  in  many  places. 

To  receive  an  unexpected  blow  in 
the  face. 

To  make  the  nose  bleed  with  a 
blow. 

To  put  to  flight. 

To  strike  out. 

Sow  the  wind,  and  reap  the  whirl- 
wind. 

To  contract  a  debt. 

To  spend  one's  fortune  without  pay- 
ing one's  debts. 

To  take  a  pledge  or  security  for 
debt. 

Spendthrifts  gather  no  wealth. 

To  fail ;  to  become  bankrupt. 

To  act  with  cunning,  or  deliberate 
craft. 

To  deceive  any  one. 

To  cheat  or  deceive  any  one. 

To  overcome  difficulties  by  bribery. 

To  hide,  with  intent  to  steal. 

To  appropriate  something  which 
does  not  belong  to  us. 

To  be  obliged  to  trust  a  thief. 

He  who  makes  one  basket  can  make 
a  hundred  ;  he  who  steals  a  penny 
will  steal  a  pound. 

To  overbalance  ;  to  outweigh. 

To  be  very  vigilant. 

To  have  a  secret  understanding  ;  to 
wink. 

To  accord  or  agree  ;  to  do  anything 
remarkable. 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


127 


Hacer  su  casa. 
Hacer  la  razón. 

Hacer  valer. 

Hacer  honras,  ó  estimación. 

Hacer  merced. 

Hacerse  de  miel. 

Hacer  extremos. 

Hacer  placer,  ó  por  hacer  placer. 

La  boca  y  la  bolsa  abierta  para  hacer 

casa  cierta. 
Al  que  hace  un  yerro,  y  pudiendo  no 

hace  mas,  por  bueno  le  tendrás. 

Hacerse  unas  gachas. 

Hacer  merced  ó  mercedes. 

Hacer  limosna  nunca  mengua  la  bolsa. 
Hacer  caudal  de  .  .  . 
Hacer  buen  ánimo,  ó  hacer  rostro. 
Hacer  tiro. 

Muchos  pocos  hacen  un  mucho. 
Hacer  pié. 

Hacer  para,  ó  por  salvarse. 
Hacer  diligencia. 

Hacer  presente  un  derecho. 

Mas  hace  el  que  quiere  que  el  que 

puede. 
El  que  hace  lo  que  puede,  no  está 

obligado  á  mas. 
Algo  hemos  de  hacer   para    blanca 

ser. 
Haz  bien,  y  guárdate. 
El  dinero  hace  al  hombre  entero. 

Hacer  virtud. 


To  raise  or  aggrandize  one's  family. 

To  do  what  is  right ;  to  jdedge  in 
drinking. 

To  give  authority,  support,  protec- 
tion. 

To  honor  ;  to  esteem. 

To  confer  honor,  or  employment. 

To  treat  a  person  very  gently. 

To  caress  ;  to  fondle. 

To  oblige,  or  please. 

Kinci  words  and  liberal  actions  make 
many  friends. 

Those  who  are  generally  in  the  right 
must  be  forgiven  an  occasional 
error. 

To  show  great  emotion  ;  to  grant  a 
favor  first  refused. 

To  give  to  a  person  ;  to  do  a  kind- 
ness. 

Charity  never  makes  one  poorer. 

To  hold  in  high  estimation. 

To  bear  up  under  adversities. 

To  draw ;  to  pull ;  to  incommode  ; 
to  prejudice. 

Many  littles  make  a  mickle. 

To  be  firm,  secure  ;  to  settle  in  a 
place. 

To  try  to  save  one's  self. 

To  try ;  to  endeavor ;  to  take 
measures. 

To  put  in  a  claim. 

Where  there's  a  will  there's  a  way. 

It  is  no  man's  duty  to  do  more  than 

he  can. 
No  success  can  be  attained  without 

labor. 
Be  kind,  but  also  on  your  guard. 
The  possession  of  wealth  diminishes 

temptation. 
To  do  well. 


128 


SFAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Bonete    y   almete    hacen   cosas    de 

copete. 
Hacer  rostro. 
Arco   de    tejo  y  cureña   de    serbal, 

cuando  disparan  hecho  han  el  mal. 
Hacer  presa. 

Hacer  buen  tercio. 
Hacer  tercio. 

Haz  lo  que  tu  amo  te  manda,  y  sen- 
taraste  con  el  á  la  mesa. 
Hacer  la  barba. 

Hazme  la  barba,  hacerte  he  el  copete. 
Hacer  el  amor. 
Hacer  libro  nuevo. 

Hacer  ver  por  sus  obras  que  uno  es 

bien  ó  mal  nacido. 
No  hacer  mal  á  un  gato. 
Obra  hecha,  venta,  ó  dinero  espera. 
Hacer  las  amistades. 
Hacer  alguna  cosa  por  ensalmo. 

Ni   hagas   cohecho   ni   pierdas   de- 
recho. 
No  la  hagas  y  no  la  temas. 
La  boca  hace  juego. 
Hacerse  lugar. 
Hacer  milagros. 
Hacer  por  llegar  a  tiempo. 
Hacer,  ó  no  alguna  cosa  al  caso. 

Cada  cabello  hace  su  sombra. 
Hacer  caso  de  una  persona. 

Hacer  de  necesidad  virtud. 

La  necesidad  hace  á  la  vieja  trotar. 

No  se  hizo  la  miel  para  la  boca  del 

asno. 
Hacer  la  apacheta. 


Arms 

illustrious 


and  literature  make  a  family 

..i^.strious. 
To  put  a  good  face  upon  it. 
Liiperfect    arms    are    dangerous    to 

him  who  uses  them. 
To  capture   and   secure    any  living 

thing. 
To  do  good  to  a  person. 
To  join  an  association. 
Serve  your  employer  faithfully,  and 

he  will  esteem  you. 
To  shave. 

Help  me,  and  I  will  help  you. 
To  make  love. 
To  turn  over  a  new  leaf ;  to  improve 

one's  life  or  habits. 
To  show  birth  and  breeding  by  one's 

actions. 
To  be  peaceful  and  meek. 
Faithful  labor  secures  a  reward. 
To  make  up  after  a  quarrel. 
To    do   a   thing   quickly,    as    if  by 

magic. 
All  bribes  refuse,  but  insist  on  dues. 

Do  no  evil,  and  fear  no  harm. 

To  be  as  good  as  one's  word. 

To  gain  a  name  or  reputation. 

To  work  wonders. 

To  try  one's  best  to  arrive  in  season. 

To  be  material  or  immaterial ;  to  be 
or  not  to  be  pertinent. 

Every  hair  casts  its  shadow. 

To  pay  respect  to  ... ;  to  heed  a 
person. 

To  make  a  virtue  of  necessity. 

Necessity  compels  activity  and  in- 
dustry. 

Honey  was  not  made  for  the  mouth 
of  an  ass. 

To  succeed ;  to  make  a  fortune. 


SPA.y/SII  IDIOMS. 


129 


Hacer  confianza  ele  una  persona. 

Hacer  una  liga. 

Hacer  á  uno  el  caldo  gordo. 

Hacer  gente. 
Hacer  ejercicio. 
Hacer  posta. 
Hacer  campo. 
Hacer  ciaboga. 
Caballo  hecho  al  fuego. 
Hacer  estrados. 
Hacer  estatutos. 
Hacer  testigos. 
Hacer  á  dos  palos. 

Quien    hace  por    común,  hace    por 

ningún. 
Ni    un    dedo    hace    mano,    ni    una 

golondrina  verano. 
El  buen  vecino  hace  tener  al  hombre 

mal  aliño. 
Hacer  guerra  y  paz  de  una  cosa. 
Á  las  barbas  con  dineros  honra  hacen 

los  caballeros. 
Hacer  de  una  pulga  un  camello,  ó  un 

elefante. 
Hacer  caracoles. 

Hacer  de  cuesta. 

Hacérsele  á  uno  cuesta  arriba  alguna 

cosa. 
No  hacer  mucha  cuenta  de  alguna 

cosa. 
Jurado  ha  el  baño,  de  negro  no  hacer 

blanco. 
Eso  humanamente  no  se  puede  hacer. 
Para  los  desgraciados  se  hizo  la  horca. 
Lo  que  la  loba  hace,  al  lobo  le  place. 
Hacer  noche. 
Se  hace  noche. 
Hacerle  la  cruz  á  alguno. 


To  trust  any  one. 
To  form  a  league. 
To   enable   a  person   to   gratify   his 

wishes. 
To  raise  troops  or  recruits. 
To  take  exercise  ;  to  drill  troops. 
To  stand  sentry. 
To  clear  the  way  from  a  crowd. 
To  turn  back  ;    to  be  routed. 
A  horse  trained  to  fire-arms. 
To  give  a  hearing. 
To  enact  laws. 

To  call  a  witness  on  to  the  stand. 
To  derive  benefit  from  two  offices 

or  sources  at  the  same  time. 
He  who  gives  to  the  public,  gives  to 

no  one. 
One  example  does  not  make  a  rule, 

nor  one  swallow  a  summer. 
He  who  would  be  well  served  should 

serve  himself. 
To  dispose  of  a  thing  at  one's  will. 
Rich  old  men  are  respectfully  treated 

by  expectant  heirs. 
To  make  a  mountain  of  a  molehill, 

an  elephant  of  a  flea. 
To  turn  alternately  either  way ;    to 

prance  (horses). 
To  lie  on  one's  back. 
To  do  a  thing  very  unwillingly. 

To  care  very  little  for  a  thing. 

Art  cannot  transform  nature. 

That  cannot  be  done. 

Poverty  is  often  very  helpless. 

Two  of  a  kind  easily  agree. 

To  stop  at  a  place  for  the  night. 

The  night  falls. 

To  avoid  the  company  of  any  one. 


130 


SFAXISIÍ  IDIOMS. 


No  sé  que  hacer. 
Hacer  una  empanada. 

Hacerse  una  jalea. 
Hacer  mella. 

Dios  me  depare  mesón  que  la  hués- 
peda me  haga  algo,  el  huésped 
non. 

Del  dicho  al  hecho  hay  gran  trecho. 

Hacer  rosca  de  galgo. 

Cada  uno  hace  de  su  capa  un  sayo. 

Hacer  ó  tener  callos. 

Hacer  la  candelilla. 

De  muchos  cabitos  se  hace  un  cirio 

pascual. 
Muchos  pocos  hacen  un  mucho. 

Desdichas  y  caminos  hacen  amigos. 

Hacer  intención. 

Mucho    tiene    que    hacer  quien   ha 

de  gustar  á  todos. 
La  costumbre  hace  ley. 
Hacer  caravanas. 

Á   quien    se    hace    de    miel,    se    lo 

comen  las  moscas. 
Hacer  presente. 
Hacer  pensar. 
Hacer  acordarse. 
Hacer  las  veces  de  otro. 
Esto  no  hace  con  aquello. 
]  Hazte  allá  ! 
¡  Haga  V.  que  se  vaya  1 
Hacerse  á  la  mar. 
Hacer  vela. 
Hacerse  á  la  vela. 


I  cannot  tell  what  to  do. 

To  conceal  in  part ;  to  speak  with 

reservation. 
To  love  to  excess. 
To  make  an  impression  on  the  mind 

by  reproach  or  advice. 
Commend  me   to   the  care   of  tiiC 

hostess    rather    than    to    that    of 

the  host. 
There  is  a  wide  difference  between 

saying  and  doing. 
To  lie  down  and  sleep  wherever  one 

may  chance  to  be. 
Every  one  may  do  as  he  likes  with 

his  own. 
To  be  hardened  against  misfortunes. 
To  stand  on  head  and  hands. 
Many  littles  make  a  mickle. 

Many  littles  make  a  mickle  ;  light 
gains  make  a  heavy  purse. 

Misery  and  travelling  lead  to  ac- 
quaintance. 

To  intend  ;  to  mean. 

He  must  rise  early  who  would  satisfy 
everybody. 

Custom  makes  law. 

To  take  various  means  to  obtain  the 
same  ends. 

Daub  yourself  with  honey,  and  you 
will  never  lack  flies. 

To  show  ;  to  state  ;  to  remonstrate. 

To  remind  ;  to  give  cause  to  suspect. 

To  put  in  mind  ;  to  remind. 

To  act  for  another. 

This  does  not  agree  with  that. 

Move  on  !  make  way  ! 

Make  him  go  ! 

To  put  to  sea  (nau.). 

To  set  sail  (nau.). 

To  make  sail  (nau.). 


SFANIS/f  IDIOMS. 


131 


Hacer  zafarrancho. 
Hacer  fuerza  de  vela. 

Hacer  cabeza. 
Hacer  poca  vela. 
Hacer  el  bastardo. 

Hacer  buen  bordo. 

Hacer  camino  para  avante. 

Hacer  camino  para  po])a. 

Hacer  derrota. 

Señales  de  hacerse  á  la  vela. 

El   que    mal    hace,    nunca   le    falta 

achaque. 
Quien  no  hace  mas  que  otro,  no  vale 

mas  que  otro. 
Quien  mala  cama  hace,  en  ella  se 

yace. 
Quien  hace  lo  que  quiere,  no  hace  lo 

que  debe. 
Hacer  alguna  cosa  arrastrando. 
Costumbres  y  dineros  hacen  los  hijos 

caballeros. 
Halagar  con  la  boca  y  morder  con 

la  cola. 
No  hallar  agua  en  la  mar. 

Hallar  padre  y  madre. 

Hallar  ó  dar  traza  para  hacer  alguna 

cosa. 
Bien  hallado. 
Mal  hallado. 

Hallarse  bien  con  alguna  cosa. 
No  hallarse  en  un  lugar. 
Hallarse  triste  ó  enfermo. 
No  hallar  vado. 
Hallarse  ó  meterse  en  todo. 
Hallarse  con  algo. 
Hallarse  contento. 
Hallar  la  horma  de  su  zapato. 


To  make  ready  for  action  (nau.). 
To    crowd    sail ;     to    "  carry    on " 

(nau.). 
To  head  (nau.). 
To  carry  easy  sail  (nau.). 
To  veer  or  tack ;  to  bring  the  ship 

before  the  wind  (nau.). 
To  make  a  good  tack  (nau.). 
To  have  headway  (nau.). 
To  make  stern  board  (nau.). 
To  stand  on  the  ship's  course  (nau.). 
Sailing  signals  (nau.). 
The  wrong-doer  is  never  without  a 

pretext. 
He  who  does  no  more  than  another, 

is  no  better  than  another. 
As  you  make  your  bed,  so  you  must 

lie. 
He  who  does  what  he  likes,  does 

not  which  he  ought. 
To  do  a  thing  against  one's  will. 
Courteous    manners    and    abundant 

means  make  people  popular. 
To  flatter,  yet  strike  ;  to  be  false. 

To  be  blind  to  what  is  in  plain 
sight. 

To  find  good  friends,  among  stran- 
gers. 

To  find  out  how  to  do  something. 

Welcome  ;  easy  ;  contented. 

Uneasy  ;  constrained  ;  unwelcome. 

To  be  satisfied  with. 

Not  to  like  a  place. 

To  be  sad  or  ill. 

To  be  at  a  loss  how  to  act. 

To  meddle. 

To  be  in  possession  of. 

To  be  content. 

To  meet  with  one's  match. 


132 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Kallar  con  el  diablo. 

Se  me  heló  la  sangre  en  las  venas. 

Se  hielan  las  piedras. 

Helársele  á  uno  el  corazón. 
¿Heredástelo  ó  ganástelo? 

Quien  lo  hereda,  no  lo  hurta. 

La  sangre  se  hereda,  y  el  vicio  se 

pega. 
La  sangre  se  hereda  y  la  virtud  se 

aquista. 
Henchir  ó  llenar  la  cabeza  de  viento. 
Herir  el  casco  de  un  navio. 
Herir  las  letras. 
Herir  el  aire  ó  los  cielos  con  voces 

ó  lamentos. 
No  hiere  Dios  con  dos  manos. 


Herir  Dios  á  alguno. 

Mal  herido. 

Herir  la  dificultad. 

Poco  á  poco  hila  la  vieja  el  copo. 

La   mujer   que   poco   hila,   siempre 

trae  mala  camisa. 
Hincar  la  rodilla. 
Hincar  ó  meter  la  uña. 
Hincar  el  diente. 

Hinchar  las  narices. 

No  holgar  la  madera. 

Hónreme  V.  con  su  asistencia. 

Quien  á  su  mujer  no  honra,  á  si  mis- 
mo deshonra. 

Quien  en  tiempo  huye,  en  tiempo 
acude. 


Huir  de  los  vicios. 


To  be  very  cunning  or  sharp. 

My  blood  curdles. 

It   freezes    hard    enough   to  split  a 

stone. 
To  be  very  much  astonished. 
Did  you  inherit  your  money  or  make 

it?  (reproach  for  extravagance). 
Children  inherit  the  habits  of  their 

parents. 
Blood  is  inherited,  but  vice  is  vol- 
untary. 
Blood  is  an  inheritance,  and  virtue 

an  acquisition. 
To  make  one  vain ;  to  flatter. 
To  hull  a  ship  ;  to  wound  her  hull. 
To  pronounce  the  letters. 
To   complain  loudly  ;    to  rend  the 

very  heavens  with  cries. 
God    does    not   wound   with    both 

hands    (his  punishments  are  less 

than  our  deserts). 
To  be  punished  or  afflicted  by  God, 
Dangerously  wounded. 
To  speak  to  the  point. 
Drops  make  up  the  ocean. 
Idle  people  do  not  prosper. 

To  kneel  down. 

To  charge  excessive  prices. 

To   appropriate    property   to   one's 

self;  to  calumniate  ;  to  censure. 
To  be  excessively  irritated. 
To  work  incessantly. 
Pray  honor  me  with  your  presence. 
He  who  does  not  honor  his  wife, 

dishonors  himself. 
He  who  knows  when  to  avoid  risk, 

knows  also  when  to  incur  it ;  or, 

he  who  fights  and  runs  away  lives 

to  fight  another  day. 
To  behave  well  or  ill. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


133 


Huir  de  la  quema. 

Huir  del  fuego,  y  dar  en  las  brasas, 

ó  en  las  ascuas. 
Huir  el  cuerpo. 
¡  A  huir  que  azotan  ! 
Huir  la  cara. 

Huir  ó  hurtar  ó  falsear  el  cuerpo. 
Huir  de  la  dificultad. 
Al    enemigo    que   huye,    hacerle    la 

puente  de  plata. 
Huirse  de  la  memoria. 
Huir  ó  escaparse  por  la  tangente. 

Hurtar  el  puerco,  y  dar  los  pies  por 

Dios. 
Hurtar  el  viento. 
Hurtar  el  rumbo. 
Igualar  la  sangre. 
Igualar  las  mercaderías. 
No  importa  un  clavo. 
Incorporarse  en  la  cama. 
Incurrir  en  la  nota. 
Ir  agua  arriba. 
Ir  tras  la  corriente. 
Ir  contra  la  corriente. 
El  rio  va  alto. 
Ir  cuesta  arriba,  ó  abajo. 
Ir  cuesta  abajo. 
Ir  en  decadencia. 
Irse  muriendo. 

Vamos  al  caso. 

Vamos  claros. 

i  Allá  va  Sancho  con  su  rocin  ! 

Ir  de  rocin  á  ruin. 

Ir  de  vuelo. 

Ir  al  través. 

Va  de  luto. 

El  vaso  se  va. 

i  Va,  á  otro  perro  con  ese  hueso  ! 


To  shun  danger. 

Out  of  the  frying-pan  into  the  fire. 

To  avoid  or  decline. 

Beware  !   danger  ! 

To  avoid  a  person. 

To  dodge  a  blow. 

To  evade  an  answer. 

Make  a  bridge  of  silver  for  a  flying 
enemy. 

To  escape  the  memory. 

To  come  out  of  a  difficulty  dexter- 
ously. 

To  steal  the  pig,  and  give  away  the 
trotters  for  charity's  sake. 

To  go  against  the  wind. 

To  alter  the  course  (nau.). 

To  bleed  a  second  time. 

To  put  a  fair  price  upon  goods. 

It  is  of  no  consequence. 

To  sit  up  in  bed. 

To  incur  the  imputation. 

To  work  up  the  river. 

To  go  down  the  stream. 

To  swim  against  the  stream. 

The  river  is  swollen. 

To  go  up  or  down  hill. 

To  decline  ;  to  decay. 

To  deteriorate. 

To  decline  gradually ;  to  die  by 
inches. 

Let  us  come  to  the  point. 

Let  us  understand  one  another. 

There  go  the  inseparables  ! 

To  go  from  bad  to  worse. 

To  disappear  quickly. 

To  go,  not  intending  to  return. 

He  is  in  mourning. 

The  vessel  leaks. 

Tell  that  to  the  marines  ! 


134 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Muchos  van  por  lana  y  vuelven  tras- 
quilados. 

Tan  presto  se  va  el  cordero  como  el 
camero. 

El  barco  va  con  poco  paño. 

¿  Adó  vas,  duelo  ?     Adó  suelo. 


¿Á  donde  vas,  mal?     Adonde  mas 

hay. 
Tantas  veces  va  el   cantarillo  á  la 

fuente,  que  al  fin  se  quiebra. 
Irse  alguna  cosa. 

írsele  á  uno  el  alma  por  alguna  cosa. 

Ir  con  espigón,  ó  llevar  espigón. 

írsele  á  uno  la  lengua. 

Ir  ó  venir  de  contrabando. 

Ir   ó    andar    tras    alguno,    ó    sobre 

alguno. 
Ir  á  la  raspa. 
Irse  de  boca, 
írsele  á  uno  la  muía. 

Ir  ó  andar  de  capa  caida. 

Irse  los  ojos  tras  de  una  persona,  ó 
cosa. 

Si  da  V.  en  ir,  ó  venir,  en  eso  per- 
derá el  juicio. 

Ir  de  manga. 

Ir  zumbando. 

El  se  fué  gritando  por  toda  la  casa. 

Irse  la  boca  adonde  está  el  corazón. 

Ir  en  ruina. 

Irse  por  el  mundo  adelante,  ó  por 

esos  mundos. 
Donde  va  mas  hondo  el  rio,  hace 

menos  ruido. 


Many  seek   wool,    but   come   back 

shorn.  * 

The  lamb  is  as  sure  to  go  to  the  spit 

as  the  sheep. 
The  vessel  carries  but  little  sail. 
Whither  goest  thou,  sorrow?  Whither 

I  am  accustomed  to  go.    Troubles 

never  come  singly. 
Whither    goest     thou,    misfortune? 

To  where  there  is  more. 
The  pitcher  goes  once  too  often  to 

the  well,  and  is  broken  at  last. 
Not  to  understand,  or  not  to  notice 

a  thing. 
To  be  anxious. 

To  retire  indignant  or  irritated. 
To  give  loose  to  one's  tongue. 
To  go  or  come  by  stealth. 
To  go  in  pursuit  of  a  person. 

To  go  in  search  of  plunder. 

To  speak  without  reflection. 

To  speak  unadvisedly  from  careless- 
ness or  anger. 

To  be  crestfallen  ;  to  decline  in  for- 
tune or  credit. 

To  long  for  a  person  or  thing. 

Brooding  may  craze  you. 

To  conspire. 

To  move  quickly  and  violently. 

He   went    screaming    through    the 

house. 
To  advocate  one's  own  wishes. 
To  go  to  ruin. 
To  withdraw  from  society  on  account 

of  disappointment. 
Deep  waters  run  quietly. 


SPANISH  JDIOMS. 


135 


Un  ruin  ido,  otro  venido. 

Vayan  las  duras  con  las  maduras,  ó 

por  las  maduras. 
Do  tu  padre  fué  con  tinta  no  vayas 

tu  con  quilma. 
Allá  vayas  rayo  en  casa  de  Tamayo. 

¿  A  do  irá  el  buey  que  no  are  ? 

Irse  ó  caerse  cada  cuarto  por  su  lado. 
Ello  va  en  la  comadre,  ó  mas  va  en 
la  comadre  que  en  la  que  lo  pare. 
No  se  van  los  dias  en  balde. 

Ira  de  hermanos,  ira  de  diablos. 
Ovejas  bobas,  por  do  vá  una,  van 

todas. 
No   se   irá  alabando,   ó  no  te   inís 

alabando. 
Hoy  me  iré,  eras  me  iré,  mal  la  casa 

mantendré, 
írsele  á  uno  la  cabeza. 

Ir  alguno  de  vencida. 

Ir  fuera  de  camino. 
Ir  al  hilo  del  mundo. 

Le  va  en  ello  la  vida. 
¿Porqué  va   la  vieja  á   la   casa   de 
moneda?     Por  lo  que  se  le  pega. 


¿  Adonde  irá  el  buey,  que  no  aré  ? 

Irse  de  la  memoria. 

Ir  fuera  de  trastes. 

Irse  á  chitos. 

A  eso  voy. 

Ni  va,  ni  viene. 


When    one    evil    is    gone,    another 

comes. 
To    take    things  as  they  come,  the 

bad  with  the  good. 
Do  not  expect  good  from  one  whom 

you  have  injured. 
Other  people's  mistbrtunes  touch  us 

but  little. 
No  mode  of  life  is  without  its  diffi- 
culties. 
To  walk  awkwardly. 
Good    luck   and    favor    sometimes 

avail  more  than  merit. 
With    time    our   vigor   and    health 

diminish. 
Family  quarrels  are  the  worst  of  all. 
An  evil  example  leads  many  astray. 

Do  not  flatter  yourself  that  you  will 

escape  punishment. 
Procrastination  is  the  thief  of  time. 

To  lose  one's  presence  of  mind  ;  to 

lose  one's  reason. 
To  begin  to  be  conquered  ;    to  be 

half  done. 
To  act  erratically. 
To  be  guided  by  the  opinion  of  the 

world. 
His  life  is  at  stake. 
Why  does  the  old  woman  go  to  the 

mint  ?     For   what    she    can   get. 

(Imputation    of    mercenary   mo- 
tives.) 
Whither   shall  the  ox  go  where  he 

shall  not  have  to  plough  ? 
To  escape  from  one's  memory. 
To  work  or  conduct  one's  self  badly. 
To  lead  a  dissipated  life. 
That  is  the  point  I  am  coming  to. 
Indecision  ;  want  of  resolution. 


136 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Eso  ni  me  va,  ni  me  viene. 
Ida  y  venida  por  casa  de  mi  tia. 

El  se  mete  en  lo  que  no  le  va,  ni  le 

viene. 
Nada  me  va  en  ello. 
Ir  y  venir. 
Ir  por  justicia. 

Allá  van  leyes,  do  quieren  reyes. 
Ir  bien  ó  mal. 

Á  gran  ir ;  á  mas  ir. 
Ir  pasando. 

Ir  mejorando. 

El  enfermo  va  bien. 

Ir  con  alguno. 

Quien  no  \a  a  Carrara,  no  sabe  nada. 

Vamos  al  alma  del  negocio. 

Ir  sobre  seguro. 

Ir  al  amor  del  agua. 

Ir  en  la  delantera. 

Ir  de  apuesta. 

Irse  á  leva  y  monte. 

Ir  caballero  en  burro. 

Van  de  máscara. 

Voy  de  paseo. 

Ir  de  campo. 

Ir  á  campo  travieso. 

Ir  á  una. 

Ir  en  bonanza. 

Irse  de  bureo. 

Ir  á  escucha  gallo. 

No  se  irá  por  pies. 

A  tres  ó  las  tres  va  la  vencida. 

Ir  alguno  con  el  compás  en  la  mano. 


That  does  not  concern  me. 

To  explain  or  excuse  one's  conduct 
in  a  frivolous  manner. 

He  meddles  in  what  does  not  con- 
cern him. 

I  have  no  concern  in  it. 

To  revolve  a  thing  in  one's  mind. 

To  go  to  law. 

The  laws  of  kings  are  their  own  wills. 

To  go  on  prosperously,  or  the  re- 
verse. 

At  the  utmost  speed. 

To  be  about  the  same,  neither  bet- 
ter nor  worse. 

To  be  convalescent. 

The  invalid  improves. 

To  agree  with  one. 

He  who  would  know  what  is  going 
on  must  mix  in  the  world. 

Let  us  come  to  the  gist  of  the  busi- 
ness. 

To  go  upon  sure  grounds. 

To  temporize. 

To  take  the  lead. 

To  compete  with. 

To  escape  ;  to  retire. 

To  ride  on  a  donkey. 

They  are  going  in  masks. 

I  am  going  for  pleasure. 

To  go  to  a  picnic. 

To  make  a  short  cut. 

To  act  with  one  accord,  harmoni- 
ously. 

To  go  on  prosperously  ;  to  sail  with 
a  fair  wind. 

To  go  out  to  amuse  one's  self. 

To  listen  attentively. 

It  is  quite  sure  ;  it  cannot  fail. 

The  third  time  never  fails. 

To  act  with  prudence  and  modera- 
tion. 


Sr.LV/S//  ID/OMS. 


137 


A  buen  viento  va  !a  parva. 
Ir  ó  venir  rompiendo  cinchas. 
Tan  contenta  va  una  gallina  con  un 
pollo  como  otra  con  ocho. 

Lo  que  no  va  en   lágrimas,  va   en 

suspiros. 
¡  Vaya  en  gracia  ! 
¡  Vaya  bendito  de  Dios  ! 

¡  Vaya  con  Dios  ;  ó  vete  con  Dios  ! 
¡  Vaya  V.  al  cielo,  á  pasear  ! 
¡  Vaya  V.  con  la  música  á  otra  parte  ! 
¡  Allá  va  eso  !    ¡  allá  va  lo  que  es  ! 
Allá  se  va. 

Vayase  uno  por  otro. 

Ir  en  pos. 

Ir  al  grano. 

Ir  al  encuentro. 

Ir  lado  á  lado. 

Ir  á  la  labor. 

Ya  voy. 

Ir  de  vuelo. 

Irse  á  misa,  y  venirse  á  nona. 

Á  boda  y  á  bautizo  no  \ayas  sin  ser 

llamado. 
Irse  todo  en  humo. 

Do  va  la  mar,  vayan  las  ondas,  ó  las 
arenas. 

Ir  á  pié. 

Ir  á  talón. 

Ir  derecho  como  una  vela. 

Ir  á  los  alcances. 

Ir  desempedrando  la  calle. 

Ir  ó  andar  chiticallando,  ó  de  pun- 
tillas. 

Ir  con  tiento. 

Ir  adelante,  ó  por  adelante. 


All  goes  well. 

To  go  or  come  at  full  speed. 

Whether    her    children    be    one    or 

many,  the  mother's  heart  is  full  of 

love  for  them. 
What  is   not  spent  in  one  way,  is 

spent  in  another. 
Very  good  ;  all  right. 
I  forgive  you  !  I  do  not  wish  to  have 

anything  to  do  with  you  ! 
God  be  with  you  !  farewell ! 
Be  off !  clear  out ! 
Away  with  you  !  be  off ! 
Have  a  care  !  beware  ! 
It  is  all  the  same  ;  it  amounts  to  the 

same  thing. 
Let  one  go  instead  of  the  other. 
To  run  after  ;  to  follow. 
To  get  to  the  point. 
To  go  out  to  meet  a  person. 
To  walk  side  by  side,  as  equals. 
To  go  to  school  (speaking  of  girls). 
I  am  going  presently. 
To  disappear  quickly. 
To  go  out  early,  and  come  home 

late. 
Do  not  go  into  company  uninvited. 

To  pass  off  like  smoke  ;  to  be  of  no 

consequence. 
Do  not  risk  the  least  where  you  have 

lost  the  most. 
To  walk. 
To  go  on  foot. 
To  go  in  a  straight  line. 
To  pursue  very  closely. 
To  walk  exceedingly  fast. 
To  go  on  tiptoes. 

To  go  on  softly. 

To  go  on  ;  to  proceed. 


13S 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Irse  los  pies. 

¿Para  qué  va  la  negra  al  baño,  si 

blanca  no  puede  ser? 
Á  ira  de  Dios  no  hay  casa  fuerte. 
Yendo  dias  y  viniendo  dias. 
Ir,  andar,  navegar  costa  á  costa. 
No  ir  ó  no  quedarse  en  zaga. 
Ir  a  medias  ;  á  la  par ;  ó  á  la  parte. 
Ir  pagando. 
¿  Por  donde  va  la  danza  ? 

¡  Buena  va  la  danza  ! 

Buena  va  la  danza,  y  da  el  granizo 

en  la  albarda. 
Irse  por  sus  pies. 
Irse  con  el  viento  que  corre. 
Irse  á  ojeo. 
Irse  con  Dios. 
Este  camino  va  á  Madrid. 
¡  Vamos  á  la  mu  ! 

Mucho  va  de  Pedro  á  Pedro. 

Ir  en  demanda  de  .  .  . 

Ir  en  busca  de,  ó  por  algo. 

¿  Cuanto  va  ? 

Van  cien  doblones  que  es  cierto. 

¡  Vete  á  espulgar  el  galgo  ! 
Va  declinando  el  dia. 
Yo  fui  allá  de  un  aliento. 

Ir,  correr,  pasar  como  gato  por  bra- 
sas. 

Ir  de  apuesta. 

Ir  á  la  mano  á  alguno. 

No  ir  ó  tirar  á  ninguna  banda. 

Bobos  van  al  mercado,  cada  cual 
con  su  asno. 

Oración  de  perro,  no  va  al  cielo. 


To  slide,  or  to  slip. 

It  is  useless  to  try  for  what  is  im- 
possible. 

Nothing  can  resist  God's  power. 

After  some  time. 

To  make  a  coasting  voyage. 

To  be  inferior  to  none. 

To  go  halves. 

To  pay  by  instalments. 

Which  way  does  the  wind  blow? 
How  is  that  matter  getting  on  ? 

Fine  doings  indeed  !  (ironical). 

He  little  sees  how  much  his  present 
amusements  will  cost  him. 

To  run  away  ;  to  escape. 

To  follow  the  multitude. 

To  go  in  search  of  a  thing. 

To  absent  one's  self. 

This  road  leads  to  Madrid. 

Go  to  sleep  !  (addressed  to  chil- 
dren). 

There  is  a  wide  difference  between 
man  and  man. 

To  be  on  the  lookout  for  .  .  . 

To  go  for. 

How  much  will  you  bet? 

I  bet  a  hundred  pistoles  that  it  is 
true. 

Go  to  the  devil ! 

It  is  near  the  close  of  day. 

I  went  there  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye. 

To  run  as  lightly  as  a  cat  on  burn- 
ing coals. 

To  compete  with  another. 

To  restrain  any  one. 

Not  to  make  any  difference. 

To  insist,  even  when  knowing  one's 
self  in  the  wrong. 

An  ungracious  request,  or  a  surly 
act,  gains  no  favor. 


SPANIS/Í  IDIOMS. 


139 


Por  la  calle  de  "  después  "  se  va  á  la 

casa  de  "nunca." 
Vanse  los  gatos,  y  estiéndense  los 

ratos. 
Ir  á  pérdidas  y  ganancias. 

Ir  perdido. 

Ir  con  la  sonda  en  la  mano. 

Á  ir  sordo. 

Iba  con  su  Don  Atañez. 

¡  Vaya  el  diablo  por  ruin  ! 

¡  Vaya  el  diablo  para  malo  ! 

Ir  á  la  guerra,  ni  casar  no  se  ha  de 

aconsejar. 
Ir  de  un  extremo  á  otro. 
Ir  á  caballo. 
Irse  por  el  chorillo. 
Ir  contra  viento  y  marea. 

i  Allá  va  con  Dios  ! 

Ir  derecho. 

Ir  velejeando. 

Ir  contra  marea. 

Ir  con  la  proa  á  la  mar. 

Ir,  ó  irse  á  pique  ;  ó  por  ojo  ;  ó  á 

fondo. 
Jorobar  la  paciencia. 
Jugar  una  pieza. 
Jugar  una  tacuacha. 
Jugársela  á  uno  de  codillo. 
Jugar  la  voz. 
Jugar  de  lomo. 
Jugar  el  lance. 
Jugar  los  años. 
Jugar  á  castillo  ó  león. 

Jugar  á  cara  ó  lis. 
Jugar  al  desquite. 


By  the  street  of  "  By  and  l^y  "  one 
arrives  at  the  house  of  "  Never." 

When  the  cat's  away,  the  mice  will 
play. 

To  take  a  share  in  the  profits  and 
risks  of  a  business. 

To  be  at  a  disadvantage. 

To  proceed  with  great  caution. 

Silently  ;  quietly. 

She  went  with  her  old  lover. 

To  the  devil  with  meanness  !  (in- 
tended to  stop  a  quarrel). 

Act  quickly,  and  prevent  mischief. 

In  war  and  love  beware  of  inter- 
ference. 

To  pass  from  one  extreme  to  another. 

To  ride  on  horseback. 

To  conform  to  custom. 

To  go  against  wind  and  tide  (liter- 
ally and  metaphorically). 

About  ships  !  (nau.). 

To  sail  in  a  straight  line  (nau.). 

Sailing  on  the  same  course  (nau.). 

To  sail  against  the  tide. 

To  head  to  the  sea,  or  seawards 
(nau.). 

To  founder ;  to  go  to  the  bottom. 

To  worry  or  provoke  a  person. 

To  play  a  trick,  a  practical  joke. 

To  play  a  very  pretty  trick. 

To  trick  or  outwit  a  person. 

To  sing  with  many  variations. 

To  be  robust  and  healthy. 

To  conduct  an  afiair  ably. 

To  play  without  gambling. 

To   toss  up  a  coin,  betting  on  its 

fall. 
To  bet  on  the  toss  of  a  coin. 
To  gamble,  doubling   the    stx::  .it 

each  loss. 


140 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Jugar  el  sol  antes  que  salga. 
Jugar  discreciones. 

Jugar  de  balanzas. 
Jugar  hasta  la  camisa. 
Jugar  sucio. 
Jugar  limpio. 

Jugar  en  la  bolsa. 

Jugar  á  la  pelota  con  alguno. 

Jugar  á  la  pelota. 

Jugar  fuerte,  ó  grueso. 

Jugar  al  morro  con  alguno. 

Juntar  partes  ó  cabos. 

Juntar  meriendas. 

Dios  los  cria,  y  ellos  se  juntan. 

Júntate  á  los  buenos,  y  serás  uno  de 
ellos. 

Jurar  algima  plaza  ó  empleo. 

Jurar  en  su  ánima,  ó  en  ánima  de 
otro. 

Quien  juzga  dos  amigos,  pierde  uno 
ó  los  dos. 

Cada  uno  juzga  por  el  suyo  el  cora- 
zón ajeno. 

Labrar  ó  batir  moneda. 

Labrar  á  fuego. 

Labrar  ó  coser  y  hacer  albardas, 
todo  es  dar  puntadas. 

Perro  que  ladra,  no  muerde. 

Ladrar  el  estómago. 

Ládreme  el  perro  y  no  me  muerda. 

Sin  padre  ni  madre,  ni  perro  que  me 

ladre. 
Larga  las  brazas  de  la  gavia. 

Toda  vela  larga. 
Larga  el  lof. 

Largar  el  cable  por  el  chicote,  ó  por 
ojo. 


To  gamble  away  to-morrow's  salary. 
To  gamble  for  gifts  to  be  chosen  by 

the  loser. 
To  use  false  weights. 
To  gamble  away  all  one  has. 
To  make  a  follow  (billiards). 
To  draw  a  ball  (billiards)  ;  to  deal 

fairly. 
To  gamble  in  stocks. 
To  deceive  a  person  with  vain  hopes. 
To  play  with  a  ball. 
To  gamble  for  heavy  stakes. 
To  fail  in  a  promise. 
To  think  of  and  arrange  a  thing. 
To  unite  interests. 
Birds  of  a  feather  flock  together. 
Keep  company  with  the  good,  and 

thou  shalt  be  one  of  them. 
To  take  oath  of  office. 
To  swear  upon  one's  conscience. 

He    who    arbitrates    between    two 

friends,  loses  one  or  both. 
We  all  judge  others  by  ourselves. 

To  coin  money. 

To  brand  an  animal. 

To    confuse   subjects    or   terms    in 

speaking  of  them. 
Barking  dogs  seldom  bite. 
To  be  hungry. 
Threats  known  to  be  empty  are  of 

no  avail. 
I  am  entirely  independent. 

Let    go    the    maintop -sail     braces 

(nau.). 
All  sails  set  (nau.). 
Up  tack  sheets  (nau.). 
To  pay  out  the  cable,  end  for  end 

(nau.). 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


141 


Largar  las  velas. 

Lanzar  manos  en  alguno. 

Lavar  la  cara  á  alguna  cosa. 

Lavar  á  uno  los  cascos. 

Lavar  la  cara  á  alguna  persona. 

Lavar  de  lana  á  alguno. 

Lavarse  las  manos. 

No  lo  lavará  con  cuanta  agua  lleva 

el  rio. 
Leer  para  sí. 
Leer  de  oposición. 

Leerle  á  uno  la  cartilla. 
Levantar. 
Levantarse. 
Levantar  el  cerco. 
Levantar  el  campo. 
Le\'antar  un  sitio. 
Levantar  tropas. 
Levantar  banderas. 

Levantar  una  tremolina. 

No  levantarás  falso  testimonio. 

Levantar  la  caza. 

Uno  levanta  la  caza,  y  otro  la  mata. 

Levantar  un  artículo  de  comercio. 

Levantar  las  cosechas. 

Galgo  que  muchas  liebres  levanta,  á 

ninguna  mata. 
Levantar  los  manteles,  ó  la  mesa. 
Levantarse  el  viento. 
Levantar  á  alguno  hacia  arriba,  ó  tan 

alto. 
Levantar  un  plano  ó  mapa. 
Levantar  el  caballo. 
Levantar  con  algo. 
Levantar  el  espíritu. 
Levantar  el  vuelo,  ó  los  vuelos. 


To  set  sail  (ñau.). 

To  arrest  a  person. 

To  brush  \\\i  ;  to  clean. 

To  flatter  ;  to  cajole. 

To  flatter. 

To  investigate  an  affair  ;  to  unmask 

a  person's  faults. 
To  justify  one's  self. 
A  whole  river  would  be  insufficient 

to  wash  away  his  faults. 
To  read  to  one's  self. 
To  maintain  a  thesis  as  candidate 

for  a  professorship. 
To  give  a  person  a  lecture. 
To  cut  the  cards. 
To  rise  from  bed. 
To  raise  a  blockade. 
To  remove  the  encampment.    ' 
To  raise  a  siege. 
To  enlist  troops. 

To  raise  the  standard  ;  to  take  com- 
mand of  a  party. 
To  make  a  commotion. 
Thou  shall  not  bear  false  witness. 
To  start  the  game  in  hunting. 
One   beats   the   bush,   and    another 

catches  the  bird. 
To  raise  the  value  of  a  thing. 
To  gather  the  crops. 
The  dog  that  starts  too  many  hares 

catches  none. 
To  clear  the  table. 
The  wind  rises. 
To  make  a  person  angry ;  to  rouse 

him  to  anger. 
To  draw  a  plan  or  map. 
To  gallop  a  horse. 
To  take  possession  of  anything. 
To  take  courage. 
To  cheer  one's  spirits. 


142 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Quien  se  levanta  tarde,  ni  oye  misa, 

ni  come  carne. 
Levantar  los  ojos. 
Levantar  el  estilo. 
Levantarse  á  las    estrellas,  ó   á   las 

nubes. 
Les'antar  algima  roncha. 
Levantarse  las  piedras  contra  uno. 

Levantar  el  pensamiento. 

Levantar  ó  alzar  las  manos  al  cielo. 
Levantar  velas. 
Levantar  ó  arrancar  la  casa. 
Levantar  ó  subir  á  alguno  sobre  los 

cuernos  de  la  luna. 
Levantar  ó  sacar  de  su  cabeza  alguna 

cosa. 
Levantar  ó  alzar  la  cabeza. 

Levantar  la  cerviz. 
Levantar  de  cascos. 

Levantarle  á  uno  de  cascos. 

Levantar  fuego. 
Levantar  una  cantera. 
Levantar  ó  alborotar  la  caza. 

Levantar  polvareda. 

¡  De  ira  de  Señor,  y  de  alboroto  de 
pueblo,  te  libre  Dios  ! 

Librarse  de  buena. 

¡  Dios  me  libre   de  hombre  de  un 

libro  I 
Librar  bien  ó  mal. 
Á  bien,  ó  á  buen  librar. 
Del  agua  mansa  líbreme  Dios,  que 

de  la  brava  me  guardaré  yo. 


Liílolence  stands  in  the  way  of  many 
blessings. 

To  look  up. 

To  use  eloquent  language. 

To  be  lifted  up  with  pride,  or  ex- 
cited with  anger. 

To  cause  a  great  pain. 

To  be  very  bad,  unpopular,  and  un- 
fortunate. 

To  conceive  the  idea  of  something 
heroic. 

To  supplicate  ;    to  pray. 

To  abandon  one's  residence. 

To  break  up  housekeeping. 

To  praise  a  person  to  the  skies. 

To  invent  something. 

To  retrieve  one's  fortunes  ;  to  take 
courage. 

To  extol  one's  self;  to  be  elated. 

To  induce  a  person,  by  promises, 
to  do  an  unwise  thing. 

To  fill  one's  head  with  idle  preten- 
sions. , 

To  promote  dissension. 

To  cause  disturbance,  commotion. 

To  make  a  disturbance  by  unwise 
words. 

To  raise  a  dust ;  to  excite  disturb- 
ance. 

God  preserve  you  from  an  incensed 
people  !  or  from  the  anger  of  one 
in  power  ! 

To  escape  from  danger. 

God  deliver  me  from  a  man  of  one 
book! 

To  get  over  a  thing,  well  or  ill. 

The  best  that  could  possibly  happen. 

Smooth  waters  run  deep. 


SF.-IX/S//  IDIOMS. 


143 


Limpiar  las  faltriqueras  á  uno. 

Limpiarse  de  calentura. 

Con  viento  limpiarán  el  trií^o,  y  los 

vicios  con  castigo. 
El  ojo  limpíate  con  el  codo. 
Lisonjear  el  oido. 
Sanan  llagas  y  no  malas  palabras. 

La  mala  llaga  sana,  la   mala   fama- 
mata. 
La  llaga  se  indigna. 

Llamar  á  la  puerta. 

Llaman. 

¿Quien  llama? 

Llamar  por  los  nombres. 

Llamar  ó  dar  voces  para  que  se  haga 

alguna  cosa. 
Llamarse  andana,  ó  antana. 
Dinero  llama  dinero. 
Se  llama  Francisco. 
Llamar  la  parada. 

Este  manjar  llama  la  sed. 

Llamar  á  Cortes. 

Llamar  la  causa  de  la  enfermedad. 

El  buey  suelto  bien  se  lame. 
Bolsa  sin  dinero,  llamóla  cuero. 

Iglesia  me  llamo. 


Un  mal  llama  á  otro. 

No  me  llames  bien  hadada  hasta  que 

me  veas  enterrada. 
Llamarse  nones. 
Cuando  fueres  á  casa  ajena,  llama  á 

la  puerta. 


To  pick  a  person's  pockets. 

To  get  rid  of  a  fever. 

Grains  are  winnowed  by  the  wind ; 
vices  by  punishment. 

Do  not  rub  your  eyes. 

To  tickle  the  ear  ;  to  flatter. 

The  tongue  wounds  more  deej)!,' 
than  the  sword. 

A  wound  may  be  cured,  but  hardly 
a  bad  reputation. 

The  wound  becomes  irritated,  oi 
inflamed. 

To  knock  at  the  door. 

Some  one  is  knocking. 

Who  is  there  ? 

To  call  the  roll. 

To  call  out  orders  to  have  some- 
thing done. 

To  retract ;  to  contradict  obstinately. 

Riches  attract  riches. 

His  name  is  Francis. 

To  hold  the  game  in  check  (hunt- 
ing). 

This  dish  provokes  thirst. 

To  convoke  parliament. 

To  remove  the  cause  of  disease  from 
one  point  to  another. 

Liberty  is  a  blessing. 

Like  a  purse  without  money  (/>., 
useless) . 

I  am  called  the  church  (said  by 
criminals  who  seek  asylum  in  the 
church,  and  try  to  conceal  their 
names ) . 

One  ill  calls  up  another. 

Call  me  not  fortunate  till  you  see 
me  buried. 

To  deny  a  thing. 

Do  not  be  too  familiar  in  the  houses 
of  others. 


144 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Mi  padre  se  llama  Hogaza,  y  yo  me 

muero  de  hambre. 
Llamar  Dios  á  alguno,  ó  llamarle  á 

juicio,  ó  llamarle  para  sí. 
El  viento  llama  á  proa,  ó  á  popa. 

No  llegar. 

Llegar  y  besar. 

Llegó  el  bajel  de  arribada. 

El  que  primero  llega  ese  la  calza. 

La  capa  llega  á  la  rodilla. 

No  llegar  una  persona  ó  cosa  á  otra. 

Acabo  de  llegar. 

Llegar  á  entender. 

El  gasto  llegó  á  cien  pesos. 

No  llegar  á  uno  la  camisa  al  cuerpo. 

Me  llega  el  turno,  ó  mi  vez. 

Llegar  á  saber. 

Llegar  á  oidos,  ó  á  sus  oidos. 

Con  un  poco  de  tuerto  llega  el  hom- 
bre á  su  derecho. 

Llegar  á  oir. 

Llegar  á  las  manos. 

Llegar  á  los  anises. 

Ha  llegado  el  tiempo. 

Llegar  al  pocier. 

No  llegará  á  colmo. 

Esto  me  llega  á  las  entrañas. 

Me  llegaba  el  agua  á  la  garganta. 

No  llegar  al  zancajo,  ó  á  los  zan- 
cajos. 

Asi  que  llegó  la  noticia. 

Llegar  á  las  aceitunas. 

Llegar  á  las  inmediatas. 

No  llegar  á  la  suela  del  zapato  á  otro. 

Llegar  á  las  telas  del  corazón. 


To  boast  of  unreal  riches. 


To  die. 


The  wind  hauls  forward,  or  veers 
aft  (nau.). 

To  fall  short ;  to  be  inferior. 

No  sooner  said  than  done. 

The  ship  put  into  port  on  account 
of  stress  of  weather. 

First  come,  first  served. 

The  cloak  reaches  to  the  knee. 

This  person,  or  thing,  does  not  equal 
that. 

I  have  just  arrived. 

To  understand. 

The  expense  amounted  to  a  hun- 
dred dollars. 

To  be  terrified  and  anxious. 

My  turn  comes. 

To  find  out. 

To  come  to  one's  knowledge. 

Li  order  to  get  our  rights  we  must 
sometimes  bear  insults. 

To  hear. 

To  come  to  blows. 

To  come  the  day  after  the  fair. 

The  time  has  come. 

To  come  into  power. 

It  will  not  come  to  perfection. 

That  goes  to  my  heart. 

The  water  was  up  to  my  neck. 

To  be  in  no  respect  equal  to  an- 
other. 

As  soon  as  the  news  arrived. 

To  arrive  at  a  banquet  when  it  is 
nearly  over. 

To  arrive  at  the  critical  moment. 

To  be  very  inferior  to  another. 

To  offend  a  person  in  his  most  ten- 
der point. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


145 


Llegar  ó  llegarse  la  hora,  ó  hacer 

hora  de  alguna  cosa. 
Llegarle  á  uno  su  hora ;  ó  llegar  la 

ultima  hora. 
No  llegar  al  zanco,  ó  a  los  zancajos. 

Llenar  una  cuestión  de  tinieblas. 

Llena  la  luna. 

Á  manos  llenas. 

Hombre  lleno. 

Llenar  á  uno  la  cara  de  dedos. 

Llenar,  ó  henchir  las  medidas. 
Llenar  la  esperanza. 
Llenar  á  uno  de  vituperios. 

Papo   á   papo   llena    la    gallina    el 

buche. 
Llenar  la  sacristía. 
Mas  quiero  asno  que  me  lleve,  que 

caballo  que  me  derrueque. 
Llevar  la  carga. 

Llevar  y  conllevar. 

Llevar  por  cortesanía. 

Llevar  adelante  su  desigaiio. 

Llevar  la  suya  adelante. 

Llevar  estudiado. 

Muchas  veces  lleva  el  hombre  á  su 

casa,  cosa  con  que  llore. 
Los  sembrados  llevan  mucho  vicio. 
Llevar  la  cruz  en  el  pecho. 
Llevar  un  plantón. 
Llevar  una  cosa  por  sus  arcaduces. 
Llevar  la  mano  ligera  ó  blanda. 
Llevar  blanda  la  mano. 
Llevar  en  hombros. 
Llevar  á  cuestas,  ó  arreo. 

Llevar  ó  traer  á  lomo. 
Llevarlo  ó  llevárselo  de  calle. 


The  time  for  action  has  come  ;  it  is 

time  to  do  something. 
The  last  hour,  or  the  hour  of  death, 

has  come. 
Not  to  come  up  to  or  approach  one 

in  any  line. 
To  confuse  a  question. 
The  moon  is  full. 
Liberally ;  abundantly. 
A  learned  man. 
To  give  a  blow  in  the  face  with  the 

fist. 
To  correspond  to  one's  wishes. 
To  fulfil  one's  hopes. 
To  abuse  a  person  in  unmeasured 

terms. 
Little  by  little  the  hen  fills  her  crop. 

To  gormandize. 

I  like  better  the  ass  that  carries  me, 
than  the  horse  that  throws  me. 

To  bear  the  burden  of  anxiety  one's 
self. 

To  bear  and  forbear. 

To  be  polite,  courteous. 

To  carry  one's  point. 

To  carry  one's  point. 

To  study  beforehand. 

One  must  not  give  the  freedom  of 
one's  home  indiscriminately. 

The  cornfields  are  luxuriant. 

To  wear  a  decoration. 

To  dance  attendance. 

To  conduct  an  affair  properly. 

To  treat  kindly,  indulgently. 

To  have  a  gentle  touch. 

To  support  ;  to  protect. 

To  carry  on  one's  shoulders  ;  to  sus- 
tain ;  to  support. 

To  carr)'  on  one's  back. 

To  overpower  another  in  argument. 


146 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Llevarse  la  mapa. 

Llevarse  en  el  pico. 

Llevar  dote. 

Llevar  la  gala. 

Llevar  lo  mejor. 

Llevar  de  vencida. 

Llevar  cinco  por  ciento  de  interés. 

Llevar  la  cabeza  erguida. 

Lo  bien  ganado  se  lo  lleva  el  diablo 

y  lo  malo,  á  ello  y  su  amo. 
Estos  dos  amigos  se  llevan  muy  bien. 
Llevar  leña  al  monte  ;    ó  hierro  a 

Vizcaya. 
Llevar  los  soldados  á  la  carga. 
Llevar  lo  mejor,  ó  la  mayor  parte  en 

un  asunto. 
Llevarse  el  dia,  ó  la  palma. 
Llevar  lo  peor,  ó  la  peor  parte  en 

un  asunto. 
Llevar  de  suelo  y  propiedad. 
Llevar  un  poste. 
Llevo  dinero  encima. 
El  caballo  que  le  llevaba. 
Llevar  á  uno  de  un  cabello. 
No  llevar  alguna  cosa  camino. 
Llevar  en  peso. 
Lleva  una  casaca  á  la  francesa. 

Llevarse  de  calle  algima  cosa. 

Llevar  consigo  .  .  . 

Llevar  buen  trote. 

Llevar  por  delante. 

Llevar  la  noticia  á  alguno. 

Yo  duro  y  vos  duro,  ¿  quien  llevará 

lo  maduro? 
I,levar  á  la  rostra. 
Llevar  de  sobreojo  á  uno. 
Este  camino  lleva  á  Madrid. 
Le  llevo  dos  años  y  medio. 


To  excel ;  to  outshine. 

To  excel  another  in  doing  a  thing. 

To  have  a  dowry  (said  of  a  woman). 

To  deserve  the  respect  of  the  public. 

To  come  off  victorious. 

To  prove  victorious. 

To  bear  five  per  cent  interest. 

To   carry  one's  head  high ;    to  be 

elated. 
Ill-gotton  gains  are  soon  lost. 

These  two  friends  agree  very  well. 
To  carry  coals  to  Newcastle. 

To  lead  the  soldiers  to  the  charge. 
To  be  victorious. 

To  carry  the  day. 
To  be  conquered. 

To  be  peculiar  in  source  or  origin. 

To  v.'ait  a  long  time. 

I  have  money  about  me. 

The  horse  that  carried  him. 

To  lead  one  by  the  nose. 

To  be  without  foundation  or  reason. 

To  carry  in  the  air. 

He  wears  a  coat  made  in  the  French 

fashion. 
To  carry  everything  before  one. 
To  be  a  consequence  of  .  .  . 
To  go  quickly. 
To  bear  something  in  mind. 
To  bring  word  to  one. 
Two  obstinate  people,  or  two  timid 

people,  can  never  agree. 
To  drag  along. 

To  keep  a  watchful  eye  on  one. 
This  road  leads  to  Madrid. 
I  am  two  and  a  half  years  older  than 

he. 


SPAA7S//  IDIOMS. 


147 


¿  Cuanto  me  lleva  V.  por  esto  ? 

Al  seguro  lle\an  ¡jreso. 

Llevar  ó  no  llevar  el  estómago  alguna 

cosa. 
Llevar  de  suelo  y  propietlad. 

Llevarse  ó  hacer  huir  una  calle  de 
hombres. 

Llevar  la  palabra. 

Tripas  llevan  corazón,  que  no  cora- 
zón tripas. 

Llevarse  los  ojos. 

Llevar,  ó  tener  los  ojos  clavados  en 
el  suelo. 

Llevar  la  pluma  á  alguno. 

Llevarse  el  dia  en  una  cosa. 

La  tierra  negra  buen  pan  lleva. 

Tierra  de  pan  llevar. 

Al  hombre  vergonzoso,  el  diablo  le 

llevó  a  palacio. 
Llevar  el  compás. 
En  Castilla  el  caballo  lleva  la  silla. 


Llevar  al  degolladero. 
Llevar  calabazas. 
Llevarse  bien  ó  mal. 
Llevarse  petardo. 
Llevar  mosca. 

Llevar  ó  sufrir  bochorno. 
Llevar  un  golpe,  porrazo. 
Llevarse  de  ira ;  ó  tomarse  de  la  ira. 
Llevar     demasiado     adelante     una 

chanza. 
Llevar  á  mal. 
Llevar  recado. 


How  much  do  you  charge  me  for 
this? 

That  which  is  most  secure  is  not 
beyond  danger. 

An  article  of  food  agrees  or  does 
not  agree  with  one. 

To  be  essentially  a  part  of  a  person 
or  thing. 

To  put  many  peoijle  to  flight ;  to 
scatter  a  crowd. 

To  speak  as  representative  of  others. 

To  be  courageous  and  energetic,  it 
is  necessary  to  be  well  fed. 

To  call  the  attention  of  bystanders. 

To  keep  one's  eyes  fixed  on  the 
ground  ;  to  be  very  shy. 

To  be  another's  amanuensis. 

To  spend  the  whole  day  on  some- 
thing. 

A  dark  soil  is  generally  rich. 

Land  which  produces  wheat. 

A  diffident  man  should  not  go  to 
court. 

To  beat  time  in  music. 

Li  Castile  the  son  inherits  the  rank 
of  his  father,  irrespective  of  that 
of  his  mother. 

To  put  one  in  great  danger. 

To  be  dismissed  ;  to  be  sent  away. 

To  be  on  good  or  bad  terms. 

To  make  a  mistake. 

To  go  away  offended  and  in  a  pas- 
sion. 

To  be  insulted,  afironted. 

To  get  a  blow. 

To  become  enraged. 

To  carry  a  jest  too  far. 

To  take  a  thing  ill. 
To  take  a  message  ;  or  to  be  repri- 
manded. 


148 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Llevar  azotes. 

Llevárselo  la  trampa. 

Llevar  ó  pasar  a  cuchillo. 

Llevar  que  rascar. 

Lo  mas  encomendado  lleva  el  gato. 

Llevar,  tener,  ó  traer  al  rey  en  su 
cuerpo. 

Llevar  ó  traer  la  vida  jugada. 

Llevar  una  unidad  de  cada  decena 
para  añadirla  á  la  suma  de  la  co- 
lumna inmediata. 

¡  Que  se  lo  lleve  pateta  ! 

¡  Todo  se  lo  llevó  pateta  ! 

Llevar  ó  traer  la  soga  arrastrando. 

Palabras  y  plumas  el  viento  las  lleva. 
Llevar  la  vida  de  canónigo. 
No  llevarlas  todas  consigo. 
Llevar  consigo  á  una  persona. 
Llevar  de  vuelta. 

Llevar  de  los  cabezones. 

No  nos  llevamos  bien. 
Llevar  en  vilo. 
Llevar  alguno  en  la  cabeza. 
Llevarse  chasco. 
Llevarse  petardo. 

Llevar  una  caida. 

Llevarse  calzones. 

Llevad  vos  marido  la  artesa,  que  yo 

llevaré  el  cedazo  que  pesa  como 

el  diablo. 
Llevar  buena  salida. 
Llevar  salida. 

Llevar  la  proa  al  nordoeste. 
Llevar  las  velas  á  buen  viento. 
Llevar  las  velas  llenas. 


To  be  whipped. 

It  is  entirely  spoiled. 

To  put  to  the  sword. 

To  be  well  drubbed. 

Things  most  carefully  treasured  are 

sometimes  lost. 
To  show  authority ;  to  put  on  airs. 

To  be  in  danger  of  death. 
To  carry  one  (arith.). 


May  the  devil  take  it ! 

All  is  lost  ! 

To  be  in  danger  of  arrest  for  a  crime 
committed. 

Promises  are  easily  broken. 

To  lead  an  easy,  idle  life. 

To  be  suspicious  ;  to  be  afraid. 

To  make  a  person  accompany  one. 

To  make  a  person  retrace  his  steps, 
or  return. 

To  take  a  person  aw-ay  against  his 
will. 

We  do  not  agree  well  together. 

To  carry  unsafely. 

To  be  disappointed. 

To  be  disappointed. 

To  make  a  mistake ;  to  be  disap- 
pointed. 

To  get  a  fall,  or  to  be  a  disappoint- 
ment. 

To  lose  all  the  tricks  at  cards. 

To  take  the  easy  part  one's  self,  and 
leave  the  difficult  things  for  others. 

To  have  good  headway  (nau.). 

To  be  under  weigh  (nau.). 

To  stand  to  the  northwest  (nau.). 

To  fill  the  sails  (nau.) . 

To  keep  the  sails  full  (nau.). 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


149 


Llevar  los  juanetes  viados. 

Llevar  poca  vela. 

Llevar  la  proa  hacia  la  mar. 

¿De  (jué  lloras,  corazón  de  mante- 
quilla ? 

Llorar  lástimas. 

Llorar  á  lágrima  viva,  llorar  lágrimas 
de  sangre. 

Si  el  niño  llora,  acállelo  su  madre,  y 
si  no  quiere  callar,  déjelo  llorar. 

Llórame  solo,  y  no  me  llores  pobre. 

Llorar  con  un  ojo. 

Llorar  con  ambos  ojos. 

Llora  la  aurora. 

No  lloraré  yo  sus  duelos. 
Llorar    á    boca    cerrada,    y  no    dar 
cuenta  á  quien  no  se  le  da  nada. 

Llover  á  cántaros,  ó  á  chorros,  ó  á 

chuzos, 
j  Como  ahora  llueven  albardas  ! 


Á  secas  y  sin  llover. 

Llueva,  ó  no. 

Llueva  para  mi  Abril  y  Mayo,  y  para 
tí  todo  el  año. 

Luchar  contra  la  corriente. 
Luchar  con  la  muerte. 

Lucirlo. 

Le  luce  el  trabajo. 

Lustrar  papel. 

Machacar  o  majar  en  hierro  frió. 

A  quien  madruga.  Dios  le  ayuda. 


To '  have   the    top-gallant   sails    set 

(nau.). 
To  carry  easy  sail  (nau.). 
To  stand  out  to  sea  (nau.). 
Heart  of  butter,  why  weepest  thou  ? 

To  exaggerate  one's  misfortunes. 
To  weep  tears  of  blood  ;  to  lament 

very  bitterly. 
Let  each  one  mind  his  own  business, 

and  let  others  alone. 
Friendlessness  is  worse  than  poverty. 
To  affect  grief. 
To  lament  a  great  loss. 
The  dew  falls  at  sunrise  ;  or,  Aurora 

weeps. 
He  will  have  many  misfortunes. 
Do  not   tell   your  sorrows   to  those 

who  will   neither  sympathize  nor 

help  you. 
To  rain  in  torrents  ;  or,  to  rain  cats 

and  dogs. 
Now   it   rains    pack  -  saddles  !    ( said 

when  hearing  a  very  improbable 

statement). 
Without  preparation  or  ad\-ice  ;  un- 
expectedly. 
Rain  or  shine. 
Let  the  rains  but  come  during  April 

and  May ;  the  rest  of  the  )ear  is 

of  less  c  onsequence. 
To  oppose  general  opinion. 
To  be  long  in  agony  ;  to  be  long  in 

dying. 
To  dash  away  ;  to  sport. 
He  enjoys  the  fruits  of  his  labor. 
To  hot-press  paper. 
To  hammer  cold  iron  ;  to  labor  in 

vain. 
God   helps   those  who  help    them- 
selves. 


150 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Sol  que  mucho  madruga,  poco  dura. 

Á  su  tiempo  maduran  las  uvas. 

Malograr  el  tiempo. 
Mamar  el  dedo. 

No  mamar  el  dedo. 

Oveja  duenda  mama  á  su  madre  y  á 

la  ajena. 
Mamarlo  en  la  leche. 

Lo  que  en  la  leche  se  mama,  en  la 

mortaja  se  derrama. 
Manchar  papel. 
Manchar  el  alma,  ó  la  conciencia. 

Mandar  á  coces. 

Mandar  á  baqueta. 

Mandar  á  alguno  á  punta  pies,  ó  á 

zapatazos. 
Barco  que  mandan   muchos   pilotos 

pronto  va  á  pique. 

Manda  potros  y  da  pocos. 

Manda  y  descuida,  no  se  hará  cosa 

ninguna. 
Mandar  hacer. 
En  casa  de  mujer  rica  ella  manda 

y  ella  grita. 
En  casa  del   mezquino   mas  manda 

la  mujer  que  el  marido. 
Manifestar  la  herida. 
Navio  que  maniobra  bien. 
Mantenerse  firme. 
Mantenerse  en  lo  dicho. 
Mantenerse  á  la  mar. 
Mantener  su  palabra. 
Mantener  campo. 


Premature  things  have  little  endur- 
ance. 

Grapes  ripen  in  their  season  ;  there 
is  a  time  for  everything. 

To  misspend  life. 

To  pretend  ignorance,  or  difficulty 
in  understanding  what  is  said. 

To  be  bright,  quick,  not  easily  de- 
ceived. 

Courteous  manners  ensure  kindly 
estimation. 

To  imbibe  something  in  one's  in- 
fancy. 

Habits  acquired  in  childhood  last 
till  death. 

To  write  much  to  little  purpose. 

To  soil  one's  soul  with  crime  ;  to  be 
guilty. 

To  command  harshly. 

To  command  imperiously. 

To  have  a  complete  ascendency  or 
control  over  one. 

A  ship  with  many  captains  is  sure 
to  go  to  the  bottom  ;  too  many 
cooks  spoil  the  broth. 

To  promise  much,  and  perform  but 
little. 

Give  your  orders,  but  see  that  they 
are  obeyed. 

To  have  made  to  order. 

Riches  make  women  arrogant. 

In  the   house   of  a  miser,  the  wife 

should  rule  the  roost. 
To  probe  a  wound. 
A  ship  that  works  freely  (nau.). 
To  hold  one's  ground. 
To  abide  by. 
To  keep  to  the  sea. 
To  keep  one's  word. 
To  fight  a  duel. 


SJ'.LWSJ/  WIOMS. 


151 


Marcar  una  vcia. 
La  cosa  marcha. 
Marear,  zampoñear  ó  empreñar   la 

gala. 
Marear  las  velas. 
Mascar  retama. 

Matar  á  uno  á  preguntas. 
Estar  á  matar  con  alguno. 

Matarse  con  algimo. 
Matarse  con  otro. 
Matar  de  un  golpe. 
Mátalas  callando. 

Á  la  larga  el  galgo  á  la  liebre  mata. 

Matar  con  cuchillo  de  palo. 

Porfía  mata  la  caza. 

Matarse  un  caballo. 

Matar  á  pesadumbres. 

Matarse  por  alguna  cosa. 

Matar  la  luz. 

Quien  á  hierro  mata,  á  hierro  muere. 

El  mata  la  gallina  que  pone  el  huevo 

de  oro. 
No    mata   la    carga,    sino    la    sobre 

carga. 
¡  Que  me  maten  si  no  es  verdad  ! 
Cuidados  ajenos  matan  al  asno. 

De  rabia  mató  la  perra. 

Mátenme  cuerdos,  y  no  me  den  vida 

necios. 
Matad  vacas  y  carneros,  dadme  un 

cornado  de  bofes. 
Matar  el  polvo. 
Todos  la  matamos. 


To  set  sail  (ñau.). 
The  affair  is  making  progress. 
To  be  tiresome  and  prohx  in  gos- 
siping. 
To  trim  the  sails  (nau.). 
To  be  vexed  at  not  obtaining  a  thing 

that  is  in  another's  hands. 
To  kill  one  with  cjuestions. 
To  be  very  angry  with  another;  at 

swords'  points. 
To  fight. 

To  be  at  drawn  daggers. 
To  knock  on  the  head. 
By    crafty    silence,    or    underhand 

means,  he  obtains  his  ends. 
Patience  and  perseverance  conquer 

difficulties. 
To  distress  a  person  with  slow  per- 
sistence. 
Constancy  overcomes  difficulties. 
To  be  saddle-galled  (a  horse). 
To  break  one's  heart. 
To  make  great  efforts  for  a  thing. 
To  put  out  the  light. 
He  who  kills  with  the  sword,  dies  by 

the  sword. 
He   kills    the   goose    that   lays    the 

golden  eggs. 
It  is  not  the  load,  but  the  overload, 

that  kills. 
Fll  be  hanged  if  it  is  not  true  ! 
Other  people's    burdens    break   the 

ass's  back. 
He  wreaked   his  ill   humor   on  the 

first  available  person,  or  thing. 
Rather  death  from  sensible  people, 

than  life  from  ibols. 
Slaughter   your   cattle,    that   I    may 

have  my  tid-bits. 
To  lay  the  dust  by  sprinkling. 
We  are  all  guilty. 


152 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Matarse  de  hambre. 

El  hijo  de  la  gata  ratones  mata. 

Á  vueltas  de  robarle,  le  mataron. 
Mas  mató  la  cena  que  sano  Avicena. 

Matar  el  sapo. 


¡  Dios  mediante  ! 

Si  no  mediara  su  respeto  .  .  . 

Medir  á  dedos. 

Medir  por  un  rasero. 

Medir  lanzas. 

Medir  las  armas. 

Con  la  vara  que  midas,  seras  medido. 

Medir  sus  fuerzas. 

Labrador  de  capa  negra,  poco  medra. 

De  hora  á  hora  Dios  mejora. 

Mellar  la  honra. 
Menear  ó  correr  el  tacón. 
Menear  los  pulgares. 

Menear  las  manos. 

Menear  las  muñecas. 

Menear  el  zarzo. 

Menear,  ó  tocar,  á  otro  el  bulto. 

Menea  la  cola  el  can,  no  por  ti,  sino 

por  el  pan. 
Menear  las  tabas. 
I.a  marea  mengua. 
No  se  ha  de  mentar  la  soga  en  casa 

del  ahorcado. 

Mentir  sin  suelo. 
Miente  mas  cjue  departe. 


To  be  so  miserly  as  to  deny  one's 

self  necessaries. 
The    cat's    son   is  sure   to  kill  rats 

(like  parent,  like  child). 
They  killed  as  well  as  robbed  him. 
Suppers  have  killed  more  than  Avi- 

cenas  ever  cured. 
To  kill  toads  {i.e.,  to  trifle  ;  said  of 

idle   workmen   who   pretend    in- 
dustry). 
God  willing  ! 

Were  it  not  for  respect  for  him  .  .  , 
To  examine  very  closely. 
To   apply   the    same    standard    or 

measure  to  everything. 
To  contend  ;  to  compete. 
To  fight. 
^^'ith  the  measure  that  ye  mete,  it 

shall  be  measured  to  you  again. 
To  calculate  one's  resources. 
A  former  who  is  fond  of  luxury,  or 

finery,  never  prospers. 
Let  us  have  patience,  and  hope  for 

God's  help. 
To  wound  one's  honor  or  reputation. 
To  frequent  the  streets. 
To  hasten  the  execution  of  anything  ; 

to  turn  over  a  hand  at  cards. 
To  fight ;  or,  to  work  expertly. 
To  work  rapidly ;  to  labor  hard. 
To  threaten  chastisement. 
To  strike  a  person. 
The  dog  wags  his  tail,  not  for  love  of 

you,  but  for  what  you  will  give  him. 
To  stir  about  nimbly. 
The  tide  ebbs. 
Do  not  talk  of  ropes  in  the  house  of 

a  man  who  was  hanged  ;    avoid 

painful  topics  of  conversation. 
To  lie  impudently. 
His  lies  outnumber  his  words. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS.  153 

Miente  mas  que  da  por  Dios.  He   tells   more   lies   than   he   gives 

pence  to  the  poor. 

Mentira  gorda.  A  gross  falsehood. 

Mentir  por  la  barba,  ó  jjor  la  mitad      To  lie  boldly,  impudently, 
de  la  barba. 

Á  luengas  vias,  luengas  mentiras.  Travellers'  tales. 

No  me  dejará  mentir.  To  call  upon  another  as  witness  to 

what  one  says. 

Quien  siempre  miente  nunca  engaña.      Liars  are   not  believed,  even  when 

they  tell  the  truth. 

Para   mentir,  y  comer  pescado,  es      In  lying  and  in  eating  fish  one  must 
menester  mucho  cuidado.  exercise  care. 

No  merece  descalzarle.  To  be  utterly  unworthy,  even  to  untie 

the  shoe-strings  of  another. 

He  merecido  á  mi  hermano  aquella      I  am    indebted    to    my  brother  for 
honra.  that  honor. 

Merecer  alguna  cosa  la  pena  ;  ó  valer      To  be  worth  while, 
la  pena. 

Merecer  estatua.  To    merit    a    statue    (expression    of 

praise). 

Meter  el  montante.  To  meddle  in  a  quarrel. 

Meterse  en  vidas  ajenas  ;  ó  en  oficio      To  meddle  in  other  people's  affairs ; 
ajeno.  to  gossip. 

Meterse  en  docena.  To  meddle  in   the   affairs   of  one's 

superiors. 

Meterse  en  la  renta  del  excusado.  To  meddle  in  other  people's  busi- 

ness. 

Meterse  á  dar  su  voto.  To  meddle  in  other  people's  affairs. 

Meterse  en  medio,  ó  de  por  medio.       To  interfere. 

Meter  baza.  To  interfere  in  a  conversation. 

Meter  su  cuchara.  To  interfere  inopportunely. 

Meterse    en   banasta  ;    ó    meter   el      To  meddle ;  to  interfere, 
bastón. 

Meterse  en  camisa  de  once  varas.  To  interfere  in  other  people's  busi- 

ness. 

Meter  en  cuezo.  To  intrude. 

Meterse  en  lo  que  no  le  toca,  ó  no      To  intrude  impertinently, 
le  va  ni  le  viene. 

Meterse  donde  no  le  llaman  á  uno.        To  obtrude  one's  self. 

Meterse  en  honduras.  To  meddle  ignorantly  where  the  con- 

sequences may  be  grave. 


154 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


No  meterse  en  dibujos. 

Entre  padres  y  hermanos,  no  metas 

tus  manos. 
Meter  el  hocico  en  todo. 
¿Quien   le  mete  á  V.  en  libros  de 

caballerías  ? 
Meterse  en  medio,  ó  de  por  medio. 
Meter  los  dedos. 

Meter  los  dedos  por  los  ojos. 
Meterse  en  todo. 

Meterse  en  enredos. 

Meter  zizaña. 

Meterse  en  barajas. 
Meterse  en  un  berengenal. 
Meter  en  la  danza. 

Meterse  de  hoz,  y  de  coz. 

Meter  en  mal. 

Meter  la  nariz  en  todas  partes. 

Meter  á  uno  en  un  zapato,  ó  en  un 

paño. 
Meterle  á  uno  por  el  aro  ó  arillo. 
Meter  en  una  prensa. 
Meter  á  uno  en  cintura. 
Meter  á  alguno  donde  no  le  de  el  sol. 
Meterse  soldado. 
Meter  mano  á  la  espada. 
Meter  á  hierro  frió. 
Meter  á  saco  ;  ó  á  sacomano. 
Meter  en  la  huerta,  y  no  dar  de  la 

fruta  de  ella. 
Meter  á  la  pella  á  alguno,  ó  traerle 

á  la  pella. 
Meter  broma. 
Meter  la  cabeza  en  el  puchero. 


Not    to    meddle    in    other   people's 

affairs  ;  to  relate  simply. 
Avoid  meddling  in  family  quarrels. 

To  meddle  in  everything. 

What  are  you  interfering  with  ?  that 

does  not  concern  you. 
To  mediate  between  two  persons. 
To  extract  a  secret  cunningly ;    to 

pump  a  person. 
To  pull  the  wool  over  one's  eyes. 
To  be  an  intruder  ;  to  be  a  jack-of- 

all-trades. 
To  become  involved  in  intrigues,  or 

perplexities. 
To  sow  discord  ;   to  breed  disturb- 
ance. 
To  seek  a  quarrel. 
To  involve  one's  self  in  difficulties. 
To  involve  another  in  an  affair,  or  in 

a  dispute. 
To  go  headlong  into  an  affair. 
To  make  mischief. 
To  be  a  busybody. 
To  corner  a  person ;  to  put  him  to 

his  trumps. 
To  decoy  any  one. 
To  drive  one  into  a  corner. 
To  keep  one  in  subjection. 
To  put  one  in  prison. 
To  become  a  soldier. 
To  draw  the  sword. 
To  put  to  the  sword. 
To  pillage. 
To  offer  a  price,  but  fail  to  give  it. 

To  ridicule  or  annoy  a  person. 

To  be  verbose. 

To    equivocate ;    to     maintain    an 
opinion  obstinately. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


155 


Meter  ripio. 

Meter    las    cabras    en    el    corral    á 

alguno. 
Metí  gallo  en  mi  cillero,  hízose  mi 

hijo  y  mi  heredero. 

Meter  en  la  cabeza. 
Meter  la  pala. 

Metió  los  géneros  por  alto. 
Meter  ó  hincar  la  uña. 

Meterse  á  sabio. 

Meter  fagina. 

No  dejar  meter  baza. 

Meter  en  la  huerta. 

No  saber  donde  meterse. 

Meter  en  una  calza. 

Meterse  en  un  atascadero. 

Meterse  en  un  brete. 

Meter  á  barato. 

Meter  á  voces. 

Meter  priesa. 

]\Ieter  á  barato  la  tierra,  ó  el  pais. 

Meter  su  media  pala. 


Meter  fuego. 

Meter  en  calor. 
Meterse  en  el  juego. 
Meterse  á  caballero. 
Meterse  en  trinidades. 

Meter  la  mar  en  un  pozo. 

Meter  bulla. 

Meter  á  bulla. 

Meterlo  á  bulla. 

No  me  meto  en  nada. 

Meter  ó  poner  piernas  al  caballo. 


To  mix  articles  of  various  qualities. 
To  intimidate  a  person ;  to  cut  him 

short  in  argument. 
I     received    a    pensioner    into    m\- 

house,    who    ended    by    usurping 

possession. 
To  persuade  a  person  to  do  a  thing. 
To   deceive   a  person ;    to    deceive 

cleverly. 
He  smuggled  the  goods. 
To  overcharge  ;  to  ask  an  exorbitant 

price. 
To  affect  learning  and  knowledge. 
To  talk  much  and  at  random. 
Not  to  allow  another  to  put  in  a  word. 
To  make  a  false  pretence  of  help. 
To  lose  one's  presence  of  mind. 
To  put  one  on  his  mettle. 
To  get  into  a  difficulty. 
To  get  into  a  scrape. 
To  interrupt  another  noisily. 
To    bewilder  by  bluster ;    to    make 

much  ado  about  nothing. 
To  urge  ;  to  hasten. 
To  destroy  or  devastate  a  country. 
To  have  a  share  in  a  business  ;  to 

help  toward  the  attainment  of  a 

thing. 
To  hurry  or  hasten  ;   to  cheer  up  ; 

to  encourage. 
To  excite  ;  to  incite  ;  to  encourage. 
To  stake  money  upon  a  game. 
To  assume  to  be  a  gentleman. 
To  try  to  find  out  what  cannot  be 

known. 
To  attempt  the  impossible. 
To  make  a  noise. 
To  confuse  evidence  in  a  lawsuit. 
To  carry  off  the  matter  with  a  joke. 
I  have  nothing  to  do  with  that. 
To  ride  at  full  speed. 


156 


SPAiVISH  IDIOMS. 


Meter  agujas  y  sacar  rejas. 

Meter  broza,  ó  borra,  ó  ripios. 

Meter  la  mano  en  alguna  cosa. 

Meterse  en  el  agua. 

Meter  la  letra. 

Meterse  en  aventuras. 

Meterse  con  alguno. 

Meter  prendas. 

Meter  por  los  ojos. 

Meter  el  pié. 

Meterse  hasta  las  trencas. 

Meterse  hasta  las  trencas  en  un  ne- 
gocio. 

Quien  en  la  plaza  á  labrar  se  mete, 
muchos  adestradores  tiene. 

Mete  la  mano  en  tu  seno,  no  dirás 
hado  ajeno. 

No  meterse  en  teologías. 

Meterse  en  sí  mismo. 

Meterse,  ponerse  ó  entrar  en  cura. 

Meter  en  cuenta. 

Meter  en  labor  la  tierra. 
Meter  ó  poner  en  pretina. 

Meter  el  corazón. 

Meter  mientes. 
Meter  paz. 

Meter  en  freno. 
Meterse  en  un  cenagal. 

Meter  en  camino. 

Meter  las  manos  hasta  los  codos  en 

alguna  cosa. 
Meter  las  ceras. 
Meter  en  escrúpulos. 


To  give  a  sprat  to  catch  a  salmon. 

To  fill  in  with  odds  and  ends  ;  to  pad. 

To  undertake  something. 

To  go  into  the  water. 

To  write  very  closely. 

To  have  adventures. 

To  associate  one's  self  with  a  person. 

To  take  part  in  any  business. 

To  persuade  one  to  buy. 

To  enter  a  business. 

To  stick  fast  in  the  mud. 

To  be  deeply  involved  in  an  affair. 

He  who   places  himself  before  the 

public  is  liable  to  criticism. 
Self-examination  prevents  fault-find- 
ing. 
Not  to  involve  one's  self  in  subtilties. 
To  revolve  in  the  mind  ;  to  follow 

one's  own  opinion. 
To  subject  one's  self  to   treatment 

for  a  chronic  disease. 
To  add  more  reasons  to  those  already 

given. 
To  bring  land  under  cultivation. 
To  crush  insolence  ;  to  force  one  to 

the  performance  of  duty. 
To  be  very  demonstrative  in  one's 

affection. 
To  consider. 
To  mediate,  or  make  peace  between 

people. 
To  restrain  a  person. 
To   be    engaged    in   an    unpleasant 

affair. 
To  bring  one  to  reason  ;  to  put  one 

in  the  right  way. 
To  devote  one's  self  earnestly  to  an 

affair. 
To  fill  the  combs  with  honey  (bees) . 
To  rouse  the  scruples  of  another. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


157 


Meter  á  una  persona  en  alguna  cosa. 

Meter  la  mano  en  su  pecho. 
Meter  mano  á  alguna  cosa. 
Mezclar  burlas  con  veras. 
Mirar  de  reojo. 
Mirar  de  rabo  de  ojo. 
Mirar  de  lado,  ó  medio  lado. 

Mirar  de  capa. 

Mirar  sobre  el  hombro. 

Mirar  de  zaino,  ó  á  lo  zaino. 

Mirar  de  través. 

Mirar  á  alguno  de  arriba  abajo  con 

desprecio. 
Mirar  á  uno  con  malos  ojos. 
Mirar  de  hito  en  hito. 
Mirar  áspera  y  orguUosamente. 
Mirarse  unos  á  otros. 

Mirarse  los  pies. 

El  amor  mira  con  unos  anteojos  que 

hacen  parecer  oro  al  cobre,  á  la 

pobreza  riqueza,  y   á  las   lagañas 

perlas. 
Mirar  por  brújula. 
Mirar  por  encima. 
Mirar  las  telarañas. 
Mirar  á,  ó  pensar  en,  las  musarañas. 
Sin    mirar,    reparar    ó    tropezar    en 

barras. 
Miráis  lo  que  bebo,  y  no  la  sed  que 

tengo. 
Mirarse  á  la  sombra. 
No  mirar  la  cara  de  una  persona. 
Mirarse  las  uñas. 
j  Mira  para  lo  que  has  nacido  ! 
Quien  adelante   no   mira,    atrás   se 

queda. 


To  induce  a  person  to  undertake 
something. 

To  consider. 

To  catch  ;  to  grasp. 

To  tell  truths  in  a  jesting  way. 

To  look  askance. 

To  look  askance  at  any  one. 

To  look  askance  ;  to  regard  disdain- 
fully ;  to  dissemble  by  a  look. 

To  look  contemptuously  or  angrily. 

To  cast  a  contemptuous  look. 

To  look  sidelong ;  to  cast  insidious 
glances. 

To  squint ;  to  look  suspiciously  at 
another. 

To  look  down  upon  another  with 
scorn. 

To  cast  an  evil  eye  on  one. 

To  stare  ;  to  gaze  steadfastly. 

To  browbeat. 

To  look  threateningly  at  one  an- 
other. 

To  examine  into  one's  failings. 

Love  wears  spectacles  through 
which  copper  looks  like  gold,  rags 
like  rich  apparel,  and  motes  in 
the  eyes  like  pearls. 

To  pry  into  other  people's  secrets. 

To  examine  superficially. 

To  be  inattentive. 

Not  to  be  paying  attention. 

Regardless,  without  consideration. 

You  cavil  at  my  success,  but  are  un- 
mindful of  my  labor. 

To  be  conceited. 

To  be  very  angry  with  a  person. 

To  be  idle  ;  to  play  at  cards. 

Stop  that  !   do  that  ! 

He  who  does  not  press  forward  is 
left  behind. 


15S 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Mirar  donde  se  ponen  los  pies. 

■  Mirad  !  que  los  oficios  mudan  las 
costumbres. 

Mirar  ó  ver  los  toros  desde  talan- 
quera, ó  desde  el  balcón. 

Mirar  por  el  virote. 

Mirar  por  uno. 

Mirarse  en  alguno. 

Mire  á  quien  se  lo  cuenta. 

Antes  que  te  ates,  mira  que  desates. 
Mira  que  ates  que  desates. 

Mirarse  en  ello. 

Mirarse  en  ese  espejo. 

Mirarse  en  uno  como  un  espejo. 

Mirar  á  la  cara  á  alguno. 

Mirarse  á  los  pies. 

Dueña  que  mucho  mira,  poco  hila. 

Mira  como  hablas,  6  lo  que  hablas, 

ó  con  quien  hablas. 
Mira  bien  lo  que  escribas,  y  conserva 

lo  que  te  escriban. 
Mojar  la  pólvora. 

Mojar  la  oreja. 

Moler  á  azotes. 

Agua  pasada  no  muele  molino. 

Mondar  los  huesos. 

Manos  duchas  mondan  huevos,  que 

no  largos  dedos. 
Montar  en  cuidado. 
Montar,  ó  calar,  ó  dar  cuerda  á  un 

reloj . 
Montar  en  pelo. 
Montar  un  rifle. 

No  montar,  ó  no  importar  una  paja. 
Montar  la  brecha. 


To  pick  one's  way. 
Take  heed  !  for  honors  change  man- 
ners. 
To  enjoy  a  sight  without  exposing 

one's  self  to  danger. 
To  mind  one's  own  affairs. 
To  take  care  of  one. 
To  take  loving  care  of  another. 
You  tell  it  to  one  who  knows  better 

than  yourself. 
Look  before  you  leap. 
See   that  you  tie  so    that  you  can 

untie. 
To  reflect  seriously. 
To  take  example  from  one. 
To  hold  a  person  in  great  love  and 

esteem. 
To  be  careful  to  please  a  person. 
To  acknowledge  one's  own  faults. 
One  who  gazes  much  spins  but  little. 
Be   careful  what    you   say,   or  with 

whom  you  speak. 
Avoid  writing   a  letter,    and   never 

burn  one. 
To  appease  the    rage    of  an   angry 

person. 
To  have  conquered  or  defeated  a 

person. 
To  lash  ;  to  whip. 
Water  which  has  passed  will  not  turn 

the  mill. 
To  pick  bones  clean. 
Practice  makes  perfect. 

To  be  on  one's  guard. 
To  wind  a  watch  or  clock. 

To  mount  an  animal  bareback. 
To  cock  a  rifle. 

To  be  of  no  use  or  consequence. 
To  storm  the  breach  (mil.). 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


159 


Montar  la  guardia. 
Montar  la  trinchera. 

Montar  un  navio. 

Montar  el  cabo  ;  ó  doblar  el  cabo. 

Montar  el  timón. 

Mi  comadre   la   andadora,  si   no   en 

su  casa,  en  todas  las  otras  mora. 
Si  no  puedes  morder,  no  enseñes  los 

dientes. 
Morderse  la  lengua. 

Morderse  los  dedos. 
No  morderse  los  labios. 

Morder  en  un  confite  con  otro. 

Antaño  me  mordió  el  sapo,  y  ho- 
gaño me  hinchó  el  papo. 


Esa  te  muerda. 

Morder  la  tierra. 
Morder  el  freno. 


Dos  potros  á  un  can,  bien  le  mor- 
derán. 

El  perro  con  rabia,  á  su  amo 
muerde. 

Morir  vestido. 

Morir  por  alguno. 

Morirse  por  sus  pedazos. 

Morir  de  pesadumbre  ;  ó  morirse  de 

tristeza. 
El  que  por  su  gusto  muere,  hasta  la 

muerte  le  sabe. 
Muerto  el  perro,  muerta  la  rabia,  ó 

se  acabó  la  rabia. 


To  mount  guard  (mil.). 

To  mount  guard  in  the  trenches 
(mil.). 

To  take  command  of  a  ship  (nau.). 

To  double  a  cai)e  (nau.). 

To  hang  the  rudder  (nau.). 

My  co-godmother,  or  gossip,  is  a 
gad-about. 

If  you  cannot  bite,  do  not  show 
your  teeth. 

To  refrain  from  saying  what  one  is 
tempted  to  say. 

To  be  revengefully  angry. 

To  speak  one's  mind  frankly  and 
openly. 

To  be  hand  and  glove  with  any  one  ; 
intimate  ;  familiar. 

Last  year  a  toad  bit  me,  and  this 
year  my  chin  swelled  (to  attri- 
bute a  present  evil  to  a  remote 
cause). 

Your  proposition  is  declined  ;  your 
intentions  understood. 

To  bite  the  dust. 

To  become  impatient  under  re- 
straint ;  to  take  the  bit  between 
one's  teeth. 

Two  are  stronger  than  one. 

A  mad  dog  will  bite  even  his  mas- 
ter. 

To  die  a  sudden  and  violent  death. 

To  be  exceedingly  fond  of  any 
one. 

To  love  very  fondly. 

To  be  broken-hearted. 

He  who  dies  for  his  pleasure  surely 

enjoys  it. 
Remove  the  cause,  and  the  e\'il  will 

disappear. 


160 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


El  deudor  no  muera,  que  la  deuda 

en  pié  se  queda. 
Morir  de  sed,  ó  de  frío. 
Morir,  perecer  ó  rabiar  de  hambre. 

Morir  para  el  mundo. 

Morirse,  ó  ciscarse  de  miedo. 

No  se  muere  la  hoja  del  árbol  sin  la 
voluntad  del  Señor. 

¿  De  que  murió  mi  padre  ?  de  acha- 
que. 

Morir  en  la  demanda. 

Uno  muere  de  atafea,  y  otro  se  la 

desea. 
Mosquear,  ó  palmear  las  espaldas. 
Mostrar  la  uña. 

Mostrar  las  uñas. 

Mostrar  el  estuche. 

Mostrar  las  suelas  de  los  zapatos. 
Mostrar  dientes  á  los  dientes. 
Mostrar  los  colmillos. 
Mostrar  la  horca  antes  que  el  lugar. 

Muéstrame  tu  mujer,  decirte  he  que 

marido  tien. 
Moverse  á  todos  vientos. 

Quien  se  muda.  Dios  le  ayuda. 

Mudar  cielo,  ó  de  cielo. 

Mudársele  el  cielo  á  uno. 

Amigo  de  buen  tiempo  mudará  con 

el  viento. 
Mudar  aires,  ó  de  aires. 
Al  viejo  múdale  el  aire  y  darte  ha  el 

pellejo. 


The  debt  is  not  hopeless  so  long  as 

the  debtor  lives. 
To  perish  with  thirst,  or  with  cold. 
To    be    suffering   very   much   from 

hunger. 
To  retire  from  the  world. 
To  die  of  fear. 
The  leaf  falls  only  from  the  tree  as 

God  permits. 
Death  is  certain,  and  need  cause  no 

surprise. 
To  maintain  one's  rights  to  the  last 

extremity. 
What  is  one  man's  meat  is  another 

man's  poison. 
To  punish  ;  to  flog. 
To  show  one's  faults ;  to  show  the 

cloven  foot. 
To  be  inexorable,  or  difficult  of  per- 
suasion. 
To   show  one's  teeth  when  angry, 

like  a  dog. 
To  run  away ;  to  take  to  one's  heels. 
To  oppose  or  resist  another. 
To  make  others  respect  and  fear  us. 
To  put  difficulties  in  the  way  of  un- 
dertaking a  thing. 
Show  me  your  wife,  and  I  will  tell 

you  what  sort  of  husband  she  has. 
To  change  with  every  changing  wind  ; 

to  be  fickle. 
God  assists  him  who  reforms  ;  God 

helps  him  who  helps  himself. 
To    change  the   air,    the   roof,    the 

ceiling. 
To  become  sad  or  worried. 
A  fair-weather  friend  changes  with 

the  wind. 
To  change  climate. 
It  is  dangerous  for  old  persons  to 

change  their  climate. 


Sr.lXISII  IDIOMS. 


16] 


Mudarse  á  cuaUiuier  aire. 
Mudarse  el  aire. 
Mudar  el  pellejo. 

Mudar  bisiesto,  ó  de  bisiesto. 
Mudará  el  lobo  los  dientes,  y  no  las 

mientes. 
El  hijo  borde  y  la  muía  cada  dia  se 

mudan. 
Mudar  la  guardia. 
Mudar  de  semblante,  ó  de  color. 

Mudar  ó  tomar  estado. 


Al  bobo,  múdale  el  fuego. 

Nacer  de  cabeza. 

Nacer  de  pies. 

Nacer  en  buena  ó  en  mala  hora. 
El  poeta  nace,  y  el  orador  se  hace. 

Á  hombre  venturero   la   hija   nace 

primero. 
Nacer  en  algún  dia. 
Aqui  me  nacieron  los  dientes. 
Quien  nació  para  ahorcado  no  morirá 

ahogado. 
No  con  quien  naces,  sino  con  quien 

paces. 
Desnudo  nací,  desnudo  me  hallo,  ni 

pierdo,  ni  gano. 
Al  sol  que  nace. 

Hijo  envidador  no  nazca  en  casa. 
El  arroz,  el  pez,  y  el  pepino  nacen 

en  agua,  y  mueren  en  vino. 
Se  me  nadan  los  pies  en  los  zapatos. 
Nadar  sin  calabazas. 


To  be  changeable. 

To  change  one's  luck. 

To  change  one's  customs  and  man- 
ners. 

To  change  one's  course. 

A  wolf  may  change  his  teeth,  but 
not  his  nature. 

Uneducated  people  are  inconstant 
in  acts  or  aims. 

To  relieve  guard. 

To  show  a  change  of  feelings  in 
one's  face. 

To  change  one's  condition  {i.e.,  to 
become  a  priest ;  or  to  be  mar- 
ried). 

With  a  conceited  man,  change  the 
subject  and  show  his  ignorance. 

To  be  born  with  a  wooden  spoon  in 
one's  mouth. 

To  be  born  with  a  silver  spoon  in 
one's  mouth. 

To  be  a  lucky  or  unlucky  person. 

A  poet  is  born  as  such  ;  an  orator 
becomes  such. 

The  lucky  man  has  a  daughter  for 
his  first-born. 

To  escape  from  peril. 

I  was  born  and  brought  up  here.. 

He  who  is  born  to  be  hanged  will' 
never  be  drowned. 

Association  is  stronger  than  blood- 
relationship. 

Contented,  unambitious  indifference. 

To  flatter  the  rising  sun. 
Gambling  is  a  great  evil. 
Rice,    fish,    and    cucumber   require 

wine  for  their  good  digestion. 
My  shoes  are  quite  too  loose. 
Not  to  need  the  help  or  support  of 

others. 


162 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Nadar,  nadar,  y  a  la  orilla  ahogar. 

El  mal  año  entra  nadando. 

Una  conciencia  culpable  no  necesita 

fiscal. 
Taberna  vieja  no  necesita  rama. 

Quien  todo  lo  niega,  todo  lo  confiesa. 

Negar  una  cosa  de  plano. 

Negar  los  oidos. 

Negar  uno  su  propria  voluntad. 

En  nombrando  al  ruin   de    Roma, 

luego  asoma. 
Navegar  de  frente. 
Navegar  en  sonda  por  la  sondalesa. 
Navegar  con  la  marea. 
Obedecer  al  tiempo. 
El  hierro  obedece,  el  acero  no. 
Obra  con  gran  pulso. 
En  chica  hora  Dios  obra. 

Quien  obra  mal  para  si  hará. 

Obrar  conforme  a  derecho. 

Obrar  en  derecho  de  su  dedo,  ó  de 

sus  narices. 
Observar  la  altura. 
Ofenderse  del  aire. 
Ofrecer  una  cosa  con  la  boca  chica. 

Ofrecer  alguna  cosa  de  ó  por  cumpli- 
miento. 

Oye  !  i  Oiga  V.  ! 

Óigase  ú  oigámonos  ! 

Oiga  !  ¡  Oigan  ! 

Oye  !  ¡  Oye  ! 

Óigame  V.  dos  palabras  ! 
Oír  campanadas,  y  no  saber  donde. 
Nos  oirán,  ó  nos  han  de  oír  los  sordos  ! 
Oír  en  justicia. 


To  fail  when  very  near  success  :  to 
drown  near  land. 

A  bad  season  begins  with  much  ram. 

A  guilty  conscience  needs  no  ac- 
cuser. 

A  tavern  of  established  reputation 
needs  no  sign. 

Too  much  denial  amounts  to  con- 
fession. 

To  deny  a  thing  flatly. 

To  refuse  a  hearing. 

To  give  up  one's  own  will  to  another. 

Talk  of  the  devil,  and  he  will  ap- 
pear. 

To  sail  abreast  (nau.). 

To  sail  by  the  log  (nau.). 

To  back  and  fill  (nau.) . 

To  act  as  circumstances  require. 

Iron  bends,  steel  does  not. 

He  acts  with  great  circumspection. 

God's  power  is  not  limited  to  úm.i 
or  place. 

The  wicked  work  their  own  ruin. 

To  act  according  to  law. 

To  act  according  to  one's  own  will 
and  pleasure. 

To  take  an  observation  (nau.). 

To  be  irritable,  impetuous. 

To  make  a  complimentary  offer,  with- 
out intending  fulfilment. 

To  make  a  complimentary  offer,  hop- 
ing that  it  will  be  refused. 

I  say  !  do  you  hear  ! 

Silence  !  attention  ! 

(Exclamations  of  surprise.) 

Hear  !  hear  ! 

A  word  with  you  ! 

To  hear  without  understanding. 

We  are  determined  to  speak  plainly. 

To  hear  a  cause,  as  judge. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


163 


¡  Dios  lo  oiga,  y  el  pecado  sea  sordo  ! 

Por  oir  misa  y  dar  cebada  nunca  se 

perdió  jornada. 
Oyó  al  gallo  cantar,  y  no  supo  en  tjue 

muladar. 
No  haber  oído  la  campana. 

Quien  no  oye  mas  que   una  cam- 
pana, no  oye  mas  que  un  sonido. 
Oler  la  casa  á  hombre. 

Cada  cuba  huele  al  vino  que  tiene. 


Oler  á  chamusquina. 

No  huele  bien  algima  cosa. 
Oler  á  perdices. 

Huélele  el  pescuezo  á  cáñamo. 

Oler  á  soga. 

Oler  á  petardo. 

Oler  el  poste. 

Huele  á  hereje. 

Huélame  á  mí  la  bolsa,  y  hiédate  á 
ti  la  boca. 

Con  las  glorias  se  olvidan  las  me- 
morias. 

Olvidar  la  injuria  es  la  venganza. 

Orientar  una  vela. 

Navio  bien  orientado  á  la  bolina. 

Esto  se  origina  de  tal  cosa. 
Otorgar  de  cabeza. 

Amor  con  amor  se  paga. 

Pagar  el  afecto. 

Pagar  en  buena  moneda. 


May  God  listen,  and  the  devil  be 
deaf !    May  it  succeed  ! 

The  fulfilment  of  duty  can  never  be 
superfluous. 

To  make  a  great  outcry  about  what 
one  does  not  understand. 

To  be  ignorant,  or  unobservant,  of 
common  things. 

Never  judge  a  cause  before  hearing 
both  sides. 

A  man  should  be  master  in  his  own 
house. 

The  cask  smells  of  the  liquor  it 
holds  ;  a  man's  character  may  be 
known  by  his  actions. 

To  come  from  hot  words  to  hard 
blows. 

It  is  a  suspicious  affair. 

It  smells  of  loss  (said  of  an  enter- 
prise or  game). 

The  neck  savors  of  the  halter. 

To  deserve  to  be  hanged. 

To  savor  of  imposition  or  fraud. 

To  have  a  premonition  of  ill. 

He  smells  of  heresy. 

Give  me  my  pleasures,  and  let  repu- 
tation go. 

The  fortunate  sometimes  have  short 
memories. 

To  forget  a  wrong  is  the  best  re- 
venge. 

To  trim  a  sail  (nau.). 

A  close-hauled  ship,  or  by  the  Avind 
(nau.). 

This  comes  from  that. 

To  give  a  nod  of  approbation  or 
assent. 

Love  repays  love. 

To  return  affection. 

To  give  satisfaction. 


16+ 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Pagar  á  uno  en  la  misma  moneda. 

Paga   lo    c^ue    debes,  sabrás  lo  que 

tienes. 
Pagar  de  contado. 
Pagar  un  beneficio. 
Pagar  la  peonada. 
Pagarse. 

Pagarse  de  alguno. 
Bien  con  bien  se  paga. 
Pagar  los  azotes  al  verdugo. 

Á  pagar  de  mi  dinero. 
Pagar  el  poseo. 

Bravo  de  mal  pagar. 
Pagar  un  delito. 
Pagar  la  doble. 
Pagar  el  palo. 
Pagar  la  farda. 

Pagar  con  el  pellejo. 

Pagan  á  las  veces  justos  por  peca- 
dores. 

Págase  el  señor  del  chisme  mas  no 
del  chismoso. 

Pagar  la  visita. 

Pagar  á  tanto  por  cabeza. 

Palpar  la  ropa. 

Papar  moscas,  ó  viento. 
Pápenle  duelos. 

Sin  parar. 

Parar  en  mal,  en  tragedia. 

Parar  la  consideración. 

No  poder  parar. 

Ir  á  parar. 

Parar  el  golpe. 

¿  En  que  pararán  estas  misas  ? 

Parar  de  tenazón. 


To  pay  a  man  in  his  own  coin ;  to 
revenge  one's  self. 

Pay  what  you  owe,  and  you  will 
know  what  you  possess. 

To  pay  promptly. 

To  return  a  favor. 

To  give  like  for  like. 

To  be  pleased  with  one's  self. 

To  take  a  liking  to  a  person. 

One  good  turn  deserves  another. 

To  return  good  for  evil ;  to  furnish 
weapons  against  one's  self. 

I  guarantee  that. 

To  give  an  entertainment  on  enter- 
ing an  office. 

Haughty  ;  difficult  to  be  pleased. 

To  suffer  for  a  fault. 

To  suffer  double  punishment. 

To  receive  unmerited  punishment. 

To  gain  nothing  but  trouble  from 
an  affair. 

To  pay  the  forfeit  of  one's  life. 

The  just  sometimes  suffer  for  the 
unjust. 

People  like  the  gossip,  but  not  the 
gossiper. 

To  return  a  visit. 

To  pay  so  much  per  head. 

To  be  confused,  irresolute,  per- 
plexed ;  to  be  near  death. 

To  keep  the  mouth  open  ;  to  gape. 

Think  of  the  sorrows,  and  be  merci- 
ful. 

Instantly ;  without  delay. 

To  end  ill ;  to  have  a  fatal  issue. 

To  take  into  consideration. 

To  be  uneasy. 

To  end  this  way  or  that. 

To  avoid  an  injury. 

What  will  be  the  result  of  this  ? 

To  stop  a  horse  short  in  his  course. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


165 


Esto  me  parece  argado  sobre  argado, 

y  no  miel  sobre  hojuelas. 
Un    asno    cubierto    de    oro    parece 

mejor  que  un  caballo  enalbardado. 

No  parecer  saco  de  paja. 

Las  damas  al  desden,  parecen  bien. 

Al  parecer. 

Por  el  bien  parecer. 

Mis  hermanas  se  parecen. 

Parece  que  lo  quiso  la  trampa. 

Quien  á  los  suyos  se  parece,  honra 
merece  ;  ó  bien  haya  el  que  á  los 
suyos  se  parece. 

Se  parecen  los  cascos  á  la  olla. 

Parecer  un  duende,  andar  como  un 

duende. 
Parece  que  no  enturbia  el  agua. 


Parece  que  está  empollando  huevos. 

Parece  que  le  chupan  brujas,  ó  que 
le  han  chupado  brujas. 

Parece  una  bruja. 

Parecer  un  Judas,  ó  estar  hecho  un 

Judas. 
Parlar  de  balde. 
Parodiar  una  batalla. 
Partir  mano. 
Partir  abierto. 
Partir  la  diferencia. 
Partir  el  cómico. 
Partir  el  camino. 
Partir  la  tierra. 
La  mar  que  se  parte,  arroyos  se  hace. 


This  is  tangle  upon  tangle,  and  not 

honey  upon  fritters. 
An  ass  with  golden  furniture  makes 

a  better  figure  than  a  horse  with 

a  pack-saddle. 
To  have  an  elegant  appearance. 
Simple,  unaffected  manners  make  a 

woman  charming. 
Seemingly  ;  to  all  appearance. 
To  save  appearances. 
My  sisters  resemble  each  other. 
It  seems  the   deuce  would  have  it 

so. 
Children   generally   resemble    their 

parents  in  character. 

Children  resemble  their  parents 
(used  in  an  unpleasant  sense). 

To  appear  suddenly,  when  not  ex- 
pected. 

He  is  not  likely  to  stir  the  waters 
(said  of  one  who  does  not  show- 
talent)  . 

He  seems  to  be  brooding  eggs  (irony 
directed  at  an  indolent  person). 

She  looks  as  if  she  had  been  nursed 
by  a  witch  {i.e.,  very  pale  and 
thin) . 

She  looks  like  a  witch. 

To  be  in  tattered  clothes. 

To  talk  nonsense. 
To  have  a  sham  fight. 
To  desist ;  to  abandon. 
To  uncover  a  beehive  for  a  swarm. 
To  split  the  difference. 
To  split  a  hair ;  to  be  niggardly. 
To  meet  half  way. 
Adjoining  towns  or  properties. 
Great  things  much  subdivided  make 
verv  little  ones. 


166 


SPAXISfl  IDIOMS. 


Oficio  de  manos  no  le  parten  her- 
manos. 

Partir  peras  con  alguno. 

Ni  en  burlas,  ni  en  veras  con  tu  amo 
partas  peras. 

Partir  de  carrera. 

Partirse  el  alma. 

Partir  las  amarras. 

Partir  el  puño. 

Pasar  de  largo. 

Pasar  el  charco. 

Pasó  el  rio  á  nado. 

El  ministro  ha  pasado  por  todos  los 
empleos  de  la  República. 

Pase  V. 

Pasarse. 

El  papel  se  pasa. 

Las  frutas  se  pasan. 

Pasar  alguna  cosa  al  sol. 

Pasar  en  silencio. 

Pasarle   á  uno    algima   cosa  por  la 

cabeza. 
Pasársele  á  uno  la  cabeza. 
Se  me  pasó  por  alto. 
Pasar  en  blanco,  ó  en  claro,  alguna 

cosa. 
Por  donde  pasa  moja. 
Pasar  un  recado. 
Los  años  se  pasan. 
Pasarse  en  el  juego  de  naipes. 

Pasar  un  libro.  , 

Pasar  los  ojos,  ó  la  vista. 

Pasar  por  hombre  instruido. 

La  enfermedad  se  pasa. 

Esta  sentencia  pasa  por  cierta. 

Pasar  la  mano,  el  peine,  el  cepillo  á 

un  animal. 
Pasar  una  hebra  por  el  ojo  de  una 

aguja. 


Every  one  should  have  skill  in  some- 
thing. 
To  treat  a  person  familiarly. 
Be  respectful  towards  your  superiors. 

To  act  without  reflection,  rashly. 

To  die. 

To  part  the  cable  (nau.). 

To  gripe  (nau.). 

To  pass  by  a  place. 

To  cross  the  seas. 

He  swam  across  the  river. 

The  minister  has  filled  all  the  offices 
in  the  Republic. 

Pass  on  before  me. 

To  remove  from  one  place  to  an- 
other. 

The  paper  blots. 

Fruits  decay. 

To  dry  anything  in  the  sun. 

To  take  no  notice. 

To  recollect  something. 

To  catch  cold. 

I  forgot,  or  omitted,  something. 

To  omit  any  mention  of  a  thing. 

It  makes  impression  on  the  mind. 

To  send  word. 

Years  pass  away. 

To  make  more  points  in  cards  than 

are  needed. 
To  read  a  book  through. 
To  glance  over. 
To  pass  for  an  educated  man. 
The  disease  is  contagious. 
This  is  generally  accepted  as  certain. 
To  curry  an  animal. 

To  thread  a  needle. 


SPAMISn  IDIOMS. 


167 


Pasarse  con  poco. 

Este  vestido  jiuede  pasar  el  verano. 

Pasarse  sin  alguna  cosa. 

Pasar  por  una  cosa. 

Pasar  la  comida.  ■ 

Juan  pasa  á  Pedro. 

Pedro  se  contenta  con  un  mediano 

pasar. 
Pasar  la  moneda. 
Pasar  el  dinero. 
El  cuarto  falso  de  noche  pasa. 

Pasa  á  la  vuelta,  ó  al  frente. 
Pasar  por  tamiz. 
Pasar  por  agua  los  huevos. 
Cuando  pasan  nibanos,  comprarlos. 
Ajo    crudo    y   vino    puro    pasan    el 

puerto  seguro. 
Pasarse  de  bueno,  ó  de  cortés. 
Pasar  por  todas  las  aduanas. 
Quien  no  se  arriesga,  no  pasa  la  mar. 
Pasar  con  un  abogado,  ó  un  médico. 

Pasar  la  cólera. 

Pasar  algo  por  uno.        • 

Lo  pasado  pasado.         •  ■, 

Un  buen  pasar.  ■  .      • 

Pasar  por  discreto.       ,     .    ■ 

Pasar  de  una  clase  á  otra. 

Pasarlo  cómodamente. 

Pasar  por  encima. 

Ya  te  he  pasado  muchas. 

Pasar  plaza.  .  • 

Pasar  las  penas  del  purgatorio. 
Pasar  por  las  picas. 

Pasar  ó  traer  la  mano  por  el  cerro. 
Pasar  el  tiempo  en  cazar  moscas. 


To  be  satisfied  with  little. 
This  dress  will  last  through  the  sum- 
mer. 
To  get  along  without  anything. 
To  pass  for  something. 
To  swallow  the  food. 
John  excels  Peter. 
Peter  is  satisfied  with  mediocrity. 

To  pass  false  coin. 

To  re-count  money. 

A  false  coin  passes  in  the  dark ; 
villany  seeks  secrecy. 

This  sum  is  carried  over,  or  forward. 

To  sift. 

To  boil  eggs. 

Improve  all  opportunities. 

One  should  be  well  fed  in  order 
to  bear  hardships  well. 

To  be  over-good  or  over-polite. 

To  undergo  a  close  examination- 
Nothing  venture,  nothing  have. 

To  study  with  a  lawyer  or  physi- 
cian. 

To  get  over  one's  anger.  r 

To  have  experienced  a  thing. 

Let  bygones  be  bygones. 

A  good  way  of  living. 

To  have  a  reputation  for  prudence. 

To  ascend  from  one  class  to  another. 

To  live  with  comfort. 

To  overcome  difficulties. 

I  have  forgiven  you  many  things 
already. 

To  be  reputed  something  which  one 
is  not. 

To  suffer  many  hardships. 

To  undergo  many  misfortunes  and 
trials. 

To  cajole  ;  to  flatter. 

To  waste  time  in  idleness. 


168 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Pasó  ó  mamó  el  tramojo. 

Pasar  un  artículo  de  comercio. 
Pasar  la  noche  en  claro  ;  ó  de  claro 

en  claro. 
Sentencia  pasada  en  cosa  juzgada. 

Lo  que  no  pasa  por  testamento,  pasa 
por  codicilo. 

¿  Como  lo  pasa  V.  ? 

Pasar  á  mejor  vida. 

Pasar  lista. 

Pasar  muestra  &  revista. 

Pasar  la  raya  y  llegar  á  lo  vedado. 

Pasarse  al  enemigo. 

Pasar  por  las  armas. 

Pasar  á  cuchillo. 

Pasar  al  filo  de  la  espada. 

Pasar  un  cabo. 

Pasar  el  virador  de  combes. 

Pasear  la  calle. 

Pasear  las  calles. 

Pasear  la  capa. 

j  Vayase  V.  á  pasear  ! 

Quien  peca  y  se  enmienda  á  Dios  se 
encomienda. 

En  arca  abierta  el  justo  peca. 

Pedir  á  una  mujer  por  esposa. 

Pedir  la  novia. 

Pedir  sobrado  por  salir  con  el  me- 
diado. 

Al  agradecido  mas  de  lo  pedido. 

Abad  de  Carcuela,  comistes  la  olla, 

y  pedis  la  cazuela. 
Pedir  cuentas. 
Pedir  cuenta. 
Pedir  por  una  cosa. 


He  experienced  great  alarm,  or  se- 
vere misfortune. 
To  smuggle. 
To  pass  the  night  without  sleeping. 

A  sentence  from  which  there  is  no 

appeal. 
What  cannot  be  accomplished  in  the 

regular  way,  is  sometimes  done  by 

other  means. 
How  do  you  do? 
To  die. 

To  call  the  roll  (mil.). 
To  pass  muster;  to  review  (mil.). 
To  transgress  the  line  and  trespass 

on  the  forbidden. 
To  pass  over  to  the  enemy. 
To  shoot  a  person. 
To  put  to  the  sword  ;  to  kill. 
To  put  to  the  sword. 
To  reeve  a  rope  (nau.). 
To  shift  the  royal  (nau.). 
To  be  attentive   to   a  lady  in  the 

street. 
To  loiter  about. 
To  go  to  walk  for  amusement. 
Go  along  !  be  off ! 
He  who  sins  and  repents,  commends 

himself  to  God. 
Opportunity  makes  the  thief. 
To  ask  a  woman  in  marriage. 
To  ask  a  bride  of  her  parents. 
To  ask  for  much,  in  the  hope  of  ob- 
taining a  little. 
To  the  grateful  man  give  more  than 

he  asks. 
Abbot  of  Carcuela,  you  eat  up  the 

pot  and  ask  for  the  pipkin. 
To  call  for  accounts. 
To  call  a  person  to  account. 
To  set  a  price  on  a  thing. 


ÜPANISII  IDIOMS. 


169 


Se  lo  pido  á  V. 

l'ido  la  i)¿alabra. 

l'cdir  gollerías. 

Cuando  tu  amigo  pide,  no  le  hagas 
esperar. 

Fraile  que  i)ide  por  Dios,  pide  por 
dos. 

A  pedir  de  boca. 

No  pidas  perdón  antes  de  la  acusa- 
ción. 

No  pidas  de  grado  lo  que  puedes 
tomar  por  fuerza. 

El  mentir  pide  memoria,  ó  conviene 
al  mentiroso  ser  memorioso. 

Pedir  zelos. 

No  pedir  peras  al  olmo. 

Pedírselo  á  uno  el  cuerpo. 

Pedir  justicia,  ó  pedir  en  juicio. 

Pedir  campo,  ó  sacar  al  campo. 

Cuancio  os  pedimos,  dueña  os  deci- 
mos ;  cuando  os  tenemos,  como 
queremos. 

Pegar  un  petardo. 

Pegarla  de  puño. 

Pegar  una  ventosa. 

Pegar  mangas. 

No  pegar  los  ojos. 

Esa  ya  no  pega. 

Pegar  una  tostada  á  alguno. 

Pegársele  á  uno  la  silla,  ó  el  asiento. 

Pegársele  á  uno  las  sábanas. 

Pegar  la  boca  á  la  pared. 

Pegarse  la  lengua  al  paladar. 

No  peinar  canas. 

Peinar  el  estilo. 

Las  aves  peinan  las  olas. 

No  peinarse  para  alguno. 

Pelárselas. 


I  beg  it  of  you  as  a  favor. 

I  ask  for  the  floor. 

To  wish  unreasonably. 

When  thy  friend  asks,  let  there  be 

no  to-morrow. 
Charity  blesses    the    giver  and   the 

receiver. 
According  to  desire. 
Never  ask    pardon   before   you   are 

accused. 
Never  stand  begging  for  that  which 

you  have  the  power  to  take. 
A  liar  rec^uires  a  good  memory. 

To  be  jealous. 

Do  not  look  for  pears  on  elm-trees. 

To  long  anxiously. 

To  claim  ;  to  bring  an  action  or 
claim  before  the  court. 

To  challenge. 

"When  people  ask,  they  are  courte- 
ous ;  when  they  have  received, 
indifierent. 

To  borrow  money  and  not  return  it. 

To  violate  confidence  ;  to  deceive. 

To  swindle  one  out  of  his  money. 

To  intermeddle  ;  to  intrude. 

Not  to  be  able  to  sleep. 

That  is  an  absurdity. 

To  play  a  serious  trick  upon  one. 

To  make  a  very  long  call. 

To  lie  in  bed  from  laziness. 

To  keep  one's  sorrow  to  one's  self. 

To  be  speechless  with  excitement 
or  fear. 

To  be  young. 

To  correct  or  purify  one's  style. 

The  birds  skim  along  the  waves. 

To  reject  a  proposal  of  marriage. 

To  execute  a  thing  with  vigor  and 
efficiency. 


170 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Pelarse  de  fino. 

Pelarse  alguno  las  barbas. 

Esta  agua  está  pelando. 
Pelean   los    toros,   y   mal   para   los 
ramos. 

Pelean  los  ladrones,  y  descubrense 

los  hurtos. 
Pelear   hasta  con  los  dientes ;  con 

todas  sus  fuerzas. 
Piensa  el  ladrón  que  todos  son  de 

su  condición. 
El  malo  siempre  piensa  engaño. 
Donde   menos    se    piensa    salta    la 

liebre. 
Con  facilidad  se  piensa,  y  se  acomete 

una  empresa,  pero  con  dificultad 

las  mas  veces  se  sale  de  ella. 
De  caso  pensado. 
Cuando  pienses  meter  el  diente  en 

seguro,  toparás  con  duro. 
Sin  pensar. 

Pensar  en  lo  excusado. 
Una  breve  oración  penetra  al  cielo. 
Á  percibir  del  ojo. 
Perdido  por  uno,  perdido  por  todo. 
De  la  mano  á  la  boca  se  pierde  la 

sopa. 
Al  paj arillo    que  se   ha   de  perder, 

ahilas  le  han  de  nacer. 
Oveja  que  bala,  bocado  pierde. 

No  perder  de  vista. 
Perderse  de  vista. 

Bien  perdido  y  conocido. 

Perder  la  ocasión  ;  ó  el  lance. 

Perder  los  estribos. 

Olla  que  mucho  hier\e,  sabor  pierde. 


To  be  very  cunning  and  astute. 

To  show  great  indignation  by  one's 
actions. 

This  water  boils. 

When  the  heads  of  families  quarrel, 
it  is  very  bad  for  their  depen- 
dents. 

When  thieves  fall  out,  the  thefts 
come  to  light. 

To  fight  tooth  and  nail,  might  and 
main. 

The  thief  judges  others  by  himself. 

The  wicked  think  all  others  are  so. 
When  we  least  expect  it,  the  hare 

starts. 
It  is  easy  to  plan,  but  often  difficult 

to  accomplish. 

On  purpose  ;  deliberately. 

An    enterprise    seems    easy   till   its 

difficulties  are  experienced. 
Unexpectedly ;  thoughtlessly. 
To  try  an  impossible  thing. 
Short  prayers  reach  heaven. 
To  warn  by  a  wink. 
In  for  a  penny,  in  for  a  pound. 
There's  many  a  sHp  'twixt  the  cup 

and  the  lip. 
Prosperity  is    sometimes  disastrous 

to  its  possessor. 
The    sheep    that    bleats    loses    its 

gathered  morsel. 
Not  to  lose  sight  of. 
To    excel ;    to  be    magnificent ;    to 

lose  sight  of  a  thing. 
A  good  thing  lost  is  a  good  thing 

appreciated. 
To  let  an  opportunity  slip. 
To  lose  patience. 
Too  much  is  never  good. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


171 


Hombre  que  se  pierde  de  vista. 
Un  bien  nunca  se  pierde  ;  o  haz  bien 

y  no  mires  á  (pien. 
Perder  la  hilación  del  discurso. 
La  vez  de  la  ensalada,  ni  la  pierdas, 

ni  sea  aguada. 
Quien  fué  á  Sevilla,  perdió  su  silla. 

Quien  la  fama  ha  perdido  muerto 

anda  en  vida. 
Perderse. 
La   manzana   podrida   pierde    á   su 

compañía. 
Por  un  ladrón  pierden  ciento  en  el 

mesón. 
Perder  el  respeto. 
Fulano  ha  perdido  mucho  conmigo 

desde  entonces. 
Perder  la  vergüenza. 
No  perder  punto. 

El  buey  sin  cencerro  piérdese  presto. 
No  se  pierde  mas  que  la  hechura. 
No  perderás  por  eso  casamiento. 

Aqui  perdi  una  aguja ;  aqui  la  hal- 
laré. 


Quien  bueyes  ha  perdido,  cencerros 

se  le  antojan. 
Pierde  el  mes  lo  suyo,  pero  no  el 

año. 

Si  se  perdieron  los  anillos,  aqui  que- 
daron los  dedillos. 

Abad  avariento,  por  un  rodrigo  pierde 
ciento. 

Perder  la  tierra. 

Perder  con  buenas  cartas. 


An  astute  man. 

A  good  deed  is  never  thrown  away. 

To  lose  the  thread  of  the  discourse. 
After  the  salad  drink  good  wine. 

He  who  would  retain  his  office  must 

pay  it  due  attention. 
He  who   has   an   ill   name   is   half 

hanged. 
To  throw  one's  self  away. 
Evil   communications  corrupt  good 

manners. 
When  a  crime  is  committed,  many 

suffer  from  suspicion. 
To  lose  respect  for. 
Such  an  one  has  fallen  much  in  my 

estimation  since  then. 
To  lose  all  shame. 
To  act  with  great  care  ;  to  neglect 

nothing. 
Carelessness  leads  to  loss. 
Save  the  pieces  ! 
You  do  not  lose  much  by  not  doing 

this. 
Here  I    lost  a  needle,  and   here  I 

shall  find  it  again   (said  of  those 

who,   having    failed   in  an   enter- 
prise, still  persist  in  it). 
He  who  has  lost  his  oxen,  is  always 

hearing  bells. 
A  farmer  may  neglect  his  land  for  a 

montii  without  utter  failure  ;  but 

not  for  a  year. 
Do  not  grieve  for  the  loss  of  your 

rings,  if  you  still  retain  your  fingers. 
Avarice  brings  about  its  own  pun- 
ishment. 
To  be  banished. 
To  ■  lose  with  a  good  hand  ;  to  fail 

in  obtainine;  one's  rii^ht. 


172 


SFAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Lo  bien  ganado  se  pierde  y  lo  malo, 
ello  y  su  dueño. 

Por  falta  de  un  clavo  se  pierde  una 

herradura. 
Perder  la  chabeta. 
No  perder  por  su  pico. 
Perder  por  el  pico. 
Perder  la  tramontana. 
¿  Que  quiere  V.  perder  ? 
La  marea  pierde. 
El  rio  se  pierde. 

Tener  que  perder. 

Perder  tiempo. 

No    pierde    por   delgado    sino    por 

gordo  y  mal  hilado. 
No  perder  ripio. 
No  se  pierde  todo  lo  que   está  en 

peligro. 
Perder  el  habla. 
Perder  la  cabeza. 

Ganar  ó  perder  capítulo. 

Perder  terreno. 

Perderse  en  el  bosque. 

Perdido  por  una  persona. 

Donde  perdiste  la  capa,  ahi  la  cata. 

Perder  cuidado. 

Perdonar  el  bollo  por  el  coscorrón. 

El  mejor  nadador  perece  en  el  agua. 

Perecer  de  hambre. 

Perecer  de  risa. 

El  que  no  parece,  perece. 


Sea  como  el  sándalo,  que  perfuma  el 
hacha  que  le  hiere. 


Well-got  wealth  may  meet  disaster, 
but  ill-got  wealth  destroys  its 
possessor. 

For  want  of  a  nail  the  shoe  was  lost. 

To  lose  one's  senses. 

He  praises  himself. 

To  lose  by  one's  garrulity. 

To  become  mad  with  rage. 

What  will  you  wager? 

The  tide  falls. 

The  river  loses  itself  in  the  ground, 
or  sinks. 

To  have  much  to  lose. 

To  lose  time. 

Quality  is  more  important  than  quan- 
tity. 

Not  to  miss  the  least  opportunity. 

All  is  not  lost  that  is  in  danger. 

To  be  speechless. 

To  lose  one's  presence  of  mind  ;  to 
be  at  a  loss  how  to  act. 

To  carry  or  lose  one's  point. 

To  lose  ground. 

To  lose  one's  way  in  a  wood. 

To  be  very  deeply  in  love. 

Faint  heart  never  won  fair  lady ;  try 
again. 

Not  to  fear  ;  to  make  one's  self  easy. 

Some  things  cost  more  than  they  are 
worth. 

The  best  swimmers  are  sometimes 
drowned  at  last. 

To  perish  with  hunger. 

To  be  convulsed  with  laughter. 

In  a  division  of  property,  he  who 
does  not  appear  to  advocate  his 
rights,  fails  to  secure  them. 

Be  like  the  sandal-tree,  which  per- 
fumes the  axe  that  lays  it  low ; 
return  good  for  evil. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


17: 


I 


No  le  pesa  de  haber  nacido. 
Mal  que  le  pese. 

Pesa  menos  que  una  vedija  de  lana. 
No  me  pesa  de  que  mi  hijo  enfermó, 
sino  de  la  mala  mana  cjue  le  ({uedó. 
No  pesar  una  paja. 

Pesarle  á  uno  la  cabeza  mas  que  los 

pies. 
No  pestañear,  ó  sin  pestañear. 
El  sol  pica  ó  abrasa. 
Quien  del   alacrán  está   picado,   la 

sombra  le  espanta. 
Picar  muy  alto. 
Picar  la  vena. 
Picar  el  pez. 
Picar  un  dibujo. 
Picarla  de  poeta. 
Picar  la  berza. 
Sarna  con  gusto,  no  pica. 

Picar  de  vara  larga. 
Picóme  una  araña,  y  áteme  una  sá- 
bana. 
Picar  la  carne. 
No  pillar  fastidio. 

Quien  pilla,  pilla. 

Pillar  un  cernícalo,   una    mona,  un 

lobo,  una  zorra. 
No  es  tan  bravo  el  león  como  lo 

pintan. 
Pintarse  solo. 
Pisar  de  valentía. 
Pisar  las  cuerdas. 

Pisar  el  sapo. 

Pisar  las  tablas. 

Pisar  el  umbral  de  la  vida. 

Pisar  buena  ó  mala  yerba. 


He  is  proud  of  his  merits  or  talents. 

In  spite  of  him. 

It  is  insignificant,  a  mere  nothing. 

Bad  habits  once  contracted  are  very 
hard  to  overcome. 

To  be  of  very  little  weight  or  conse- 
quence. 

He  is  top-heavy,  drunk. 

To  look  fixedl)',  without  winking. 

The  sun  scorches. 

He  who  has  been  stung  by  a  scor- 
pion, is  frightened  at  its  shadow. 

To  aim  too  high. 

To  bleed  ;  to  let  blood. 

To  ensnare  ;  to  deceive. 

To  prick  out  a  design. 

To  dabble  in  poetry. 

To  be  a  beginner,  little  advanced. 

Evils  of  one's  own  seeking  should 
be  borne  patiently. 

To  seek  a  mean  advantage. 

Much  ado  about  nothing.  i 

To  chop  the  meat. 

Not  to  borrow  trouble  ;  to  be  easily 

vexed. 
The  selfish  man  grasps  all  on  his 

own  account. 
To  become  intoxicated. 

The  lion  is  not  so  brave  as  he  is 
represented. 

To  excel  all  others. 

To  strut. 

To  press  the  strings  of  a  musical  in- 
strument. 

To  rise  late. 

To  embark  ;  to  go  on  board  ship. 

To  be  bom. 

To  be  good  or  bad  tempered. 


174 


SPAA'ISH  IDIOMS. 


\  Plegué  á  Dios  !  ó  ¡  plegué  á  Dios 

que  .  .  . 
¡  Plegué  á  Dios  que  orégano  sea,  y 

no  se  nos  vuelva  alcaravea  ! 
i  Que  me  place  ! 
Plantar  de  rama. 
Plantar  á  uno  en  la  calle. 

Plantar  en  la  cárcel. 

Se  plantó  en  Versálles  en  dos  horas 
desde  Paris. 

Como  el  fuego  no  puede  estar  escon- 
dido y  encerrado,  la  virtud  no 
puede  dejar  de  ser  conocida. 

Poder  leer  cátedra. 

Lo  que  no  se  puede  remediar,  se  ha 
de  aguantar. 

Desde  que  uno  puede  acordarse. 

A  lo  que  puedes  solo,  no  esperes  á 
otro. 

Por  lo  que  pueda  ó  pudiere  tronar. 

No  se  puede  repicar,  y  andar  en  la 
procesión. 

Podrán  llevar  el  asno  al  agua,  pero 

no  forzarle  á  beber. 
Mas  puede  maña  que  fuerza. 
No  poderle  dar  alcance  á  uno. 
¡  Si  puedo  poner  la  mano  sobre  el  ! 
En  casa  de  Gonzalo  mas  puede  la 

gallina  que  el  gallo. 
Poder  pasar  por  las  picas  de  Flándes. 
No  puede  ser  el  cuen-o  mas  negro 

que  las  alas. 
Poder  \'ender  en  un  buen  mercado. 

No  poder  hacer  carrera  con  alguno. 

El  abad  de  bamba,  lo  que  no  puede 
comer,  dalo  por  su  alma. 


Please  God  !  or  God  grant  that  .  .  . 

God  grant  that  this  may  turn  out  as 

well  as  we  hoped  ! 
How  I  like  it ! 
To  propagate  by  slips. 
To  expel  a  person  from  the  house  ; 

to  turn  him  into  the  street. 
To  throw  a  person  into  prison. 
He  took  two  hours  to  go  from  Paris 

to  Versailles. 
As  fire  is  discovered  by  its  own  light, 

so  is  virtue  by  its  own  excellence. 

To  occupy  a  chair  (in  a  university). 
What  can't  be  cured  must  be   en- 
dured. 
Within  the  memory  of  man. 
Ne\-er  trust  to  another  what  you  can 

do  yourself. 
For  whatever  may  happen. 
One  cannot  ring   the    chimes,   and 

walk  in  the  procession   {i.e.,  do 

two  things  at  once). 
A  man  can  lead  his  ass   to  water, 

but  cannot  force  him  to  drink. 
Skill  is  better  than  strength. 
To  be  unable  to  get  sight  of  one. 
If  I  can  but  lay  my  hands  on  him  ! 
In  Gonzalo's  house  the  gray  mare  is 

the  better  horse. 
To  be  above  criticism. 
The    crow  cannot  be  blacker  than 

its  wings  ;  the  worst  is  over. 
To  be   more    sagacious  and  astute 

than  others. 
Not  to  be  able  to  bring  a  person  to 

reason. 
To    make   a   parade    of    giving   to 

others    that   which    is    useless    to 

ourselves. 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


175 


No   poder   hincar  el  diente  á  una 

cosa. 
Tu  que  no  puedes,  llévame  á  cuestas. 

No  poderle  dar  un  alcance. 
Se  le  pudiera  fiar  oro  molido. 

Ninguno  puede  servir  á  dos  señores. 
Mas  puede  Dios  que  el  Diablo. 


Si  no  puedes  lo  que  quieres,  debes 

querer  lo  que  puedes. 
Á  lo  que  puedes  solo,  no  esperes  á 

otro. 
La  viña  del  ruin  se  poda  en  abril. 

No  poder  parar. 

El  no  puede  contenerse. 

No  poder  tragar  á  alguno. 

Ponerse  en  los  huesos. 

Ponerse  flaco  ó  gordo. 

Ponerse  moreno. 

Ponerse  pálido. 

Poner  las  orejas  coloradas. 

Poner  á  uno  la  ceniza  en  la  frente. 

Ponerse  como  una  grana. 

Poner  á  uno  como  una  grana. 

Ponerse  á  gesto. 

Poner  gesto. 

Poner  á  uno  el  pié  sobre  el  pescuezo. 

Póngase  V.  en  la  razón. 

Lo  he  puesto  en  la  razón. 

Ponerse  á  razones. 
Ponerse  en  caso  de  .  .  . 
Poner  una  cosa  por  tierra. 
Quien  se  pone  debajo  de  la  hoja,  dos 
veces  se  moja. 

Poner  dos  á  uno. 


To  be  unable  to  understand  a  thing. 

To  ask  helj)  from  one  who  is  him- 
self more  in  need. 
To  be  unable  to  get  sight  of  one. 
One    might    trust  him   with   untold 

gold. 
No  man  can  serve  two  masters. 
God   is    more    powerful    than    the 

devil   (used  to  encourage  one  in 

difficulties). 
If  you  cannot  have  what  you  like, 

like  what  you  can  get. 
Expect  not  at  another's  hand  what 

you  can  do  for  yourself. 
The  miser's  vineyard  waits  long  for 

care. 
To  be  uneasy. 

He  has  no  command  over  himself. 
To  abhor  any  one. 
To  become  emaciated. 
To  grow  thin  or  fat. 
To  become  sunburned.  > 

To  become  pale. 
To  make  one  blush  to  his  ears. 
To  humiliate  by  reproaches. 
To  blush  up  to  one's  eyes. 
To  put  another  to  the  blush. 
To  endeavor  to  please. 
To  show  anger  in  one's  face. 
To  humiliate  one. 
Be  moderate  in  your  demands. 
I  have  brought  him  to  reason  ;    or 

pacified  him. 
To  enter  into  a  dispute. 
To  put  one's  self  in  the  place  of .  .  . 
To  make  little  of  a  thing. 
He  who  seeks  refuge  from  rain  under 

a  tree  is  twice  wetted  ;  grasp  all, 

lose  all. 
To  bet  two  to  one. 


176 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Ponerse  á  cantar  y  á  bailar. 
Ponerse  los  zapatos,  el  sombrero. 
Poner  por  tierra  un  edificio. 
Poner  en  relieve. 

Ponerse  á  trabajar. 

Poner  huevos. 

Sobre  un  huevo  pone  la  gallina. 


Poner  á  uno  en  estado. 
Poner  á  alguno  en  zancos. 

Poner  caro,  ó  barato,  algún  articulo. 

Poner  en  precio. 
Poner  cedulones. 
Poner  su  firma. 
Poner  por  escrito. 
Ponerse  á  escribir. 

Poner  una  carta. 

Poner  un  sello  á  la  carta. 

Poner  en  Español,  Inglés,  etc. 

Poner  en  música. 

Poner  en  verso. 

Poner  punto  final  á  una  cuestión. 

Poner  á  asar. 

Poner  toda  la  carne  en  el  asador. 

Ponerle  el  cascabel  al  gato. 

Poner  en  escena. 

Poner  en  prensa. 

Ponerse  bien  ó  mal  con  alguno. 

Poner  á  uno  como  un  guante. 

Poner  al  sol,  al  aire,  al  fuego. 
Poner  á  almanta. 
Poner  el  freno  á  un  caballo. 
Poner  por  medianero. 


To  begin  to  sing  and  to  dance. 
To  put  on  one's  shoes,  one's  hat. 
To  pull  down  a  building. 
To    carve     in    relief;    to    describe 

graphically. 
To  set  to  work. 
To  lay  eggs. 
The  hen  sits,  if  it  be  but  upon  one 

egg  ;  a  nest-egg,  or  a  start  in  life, 

is  needful. 
To  set  one  up  in  business. 
To  give  one  a  lift  toward  the  end 

he  desires  to  attain. 
To    exaggerate    the  value  of,  or  to 

cheapen,  an  article. 
To  agree  on  the  price. 
To  post  bills  or  edicts. 
To  sign. 

To  put  anything  in  black  and  white. 
To  set  about,  or  devote  one's  self  to, 

writing. 
To  write  a  letter. 
To  seal  or  stamp  a  letter. 
To  translate   into  Spanish,  English, 

etc. 
To  set  to  music. 
To  versify  ;  to  put  in  verse. 
To  put  an  end  to  a  question. 
To  roast. 
To  put  all  the  meat  to  roast  at  once  ; 

to  hazard  all. 
To  bell  the  cat.  • 
To  put  (a  play)  on  the  stage. 
To  put  in  print. 

To  succeed  or  fail ;  to  propitiate. 
To  render  one  as  pliable  as  a  glove  ; 

to  insult  a  person. 
To  put  in  the  sun,  the  air,  the  fire. 
To  plant  vines  irregularly. 
To  bridle  a  horse. 
To  appoint  as  mediator. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


177 


Ponerse  ele  acuerdo. 

Ponerse  á  reir. 

Ponerse  á  llorar. 

Ponerse  alegre,  ó  triste. 

Ponerse  en  asas. 

Poner  de  ministro  a  alguno. 

Poner  mar  de  por  medio. 

Poner  de  manifiesto,  ó  de  relieve. 

Poner  en  seco. 

Poner  cariño  á  alguna  cosa. 

Ponerse  á  beber,  á  jugar. 

Poner  dinero  á  interés. 

Poner  manos  á  la  obra. 

Poner  en  duda. 

Ponerse  á  hacer  alguna  cosa. 

Poner  el  corazón  en  algo. 

Poner  la  mesa. 

Poner  á  votación. 

Ponerse  en  acuerdo. 

Poner  una  cosa  en  alguno. 

Ponerle  á  uno  una  casa. 

Poner  en  eso. 

Yo  lo  pongo  en  V. 

Ponerse  ft-io,  ó  caliente. 

Poner  en  chapines  á  una  hija. 

Ponerse  en  chapines. 

Poner  delante. 

Nada  se  le  pone  por  delante. 

Ponerse  en  cobro  alguna  persona. 

Poner  en  cobro  alguna  cosa. 

Poner  á  ración. 

Ponerse  á  la  carga. 

Ponerse  el  sol ;  ó  el  sol  se  pone. 
Ponerse  al  frente  de  un  negocio. 
Poner  en  efecto. 
Poner  en  lista. 

Poner    un    negocio    en    manos   de 
alguno. 


To  agree  unanimously. 

To  ridicule  ;  to  laugh. 

To  weep  over  anything. 

To  clieer  up,  or  to  grieve. 

To  set  the  arms  akimbo. 

To  apiwint  a  person  as  minister. 

To  put  the  sea  between. 

To  protest ;  to  make  clear. 

To  change  one's  clothes. 

To  take  a  fancy  to  a  thing. 

To  give  one's  self  up  to  drinking,  to 
gambling. 

To  put  out  money  at  interest. 

To  set  one's  self  earnestly  to  work. 

To  doubt. 

To  undertake  anything. 

To  set  one's  heart  on  a  thing. 

To  lay  the  table. 

To  put  to  the  vote. 

To  agree  unanimously. 

To  leave  a  decision  to  another. 

To  furnish  a  house  for  another. 

To  put  in  practice. 

I  leave  it  to  you. 

To  become  cold,  or  warm. 

To  marry  a  daughter. 

To  raise  one's  self  above  one's  con- 
dition. 

To  remind  ;  to  suggest. 

Nothing  stops  him. 

To  take  refuge. 

To  put  a  thing  in  a  safe  place. 

To  put  on  allowance. 

To  be  ready  to  receive  cargo  (said 
of  a  ship). 

The  sun  sets. 

To  be  the  principal  in  a  business. 

To  carry  out. 

To  place  a  name  upon  a  list. 

To  put  an  affair  in  charge  of  another. 


178 


SPAiYISH  IDIOMS. 


Poner  nombres  á  uno. 

Dia   del    bodorrio,    ponte  en  com- 

pletorio. 
Poner  ¡sernas  al  caballo. 

Poner  pies  en  polvorosa. 
No  poner  los  pies  en  el  suelo. 
Poner  alguna  cosa  sobre  la  cabeza. 
Poner  ó  levantar  en,   ó    sobre,    las 

nubes. 
Poner  á  uno,  ó  alguna  cosa,  sobre  las 

estrellas. 
Poner  espuelas. 
Poner  á  raya. 
Ponerse  en  pies  en  la  dificultad  ;  ó 

estar  en,  ó  sobre,  la  dificultad. 
Ponerse  hasta  la  mano  del  amirez. 
Ponerse  una  cosa  en  los  cascos. 

Poner  en  su  corazón,  ó  en  el  corazón 

de  alguno. 
Ponerse  en  lugar  de  otro. 

Poner  en  limpio. 

Poner  en  claro. 

Poner  en  los  trotes  á  uno. 

Poner  una  pica  en  Flándes. 

Poner  en  pico. 

El  me  ha  puesto  un  hierro. 

Poner  en  astillero. 

Poner  uno  de  su  parte. 

Poner  coto. 

Poner  uno  toda  su  fiaerza. 

Bien  puesto. 

Poner  en  plato  ;  ó  poner  el  plato  á 

uno. 
Puesto  en  el  borrico. 


To  call  one  names. 

There  is  a  proper  time  for  every- 
thing. 

To  ride  at  full  speed  ;  to  spur  one's 
horse. 

To  take  to  one's  heels. 

To  act  quickly,  promptly. 

To  esteem  a  thing  highly. 

To  praise  things  to  the  skies. 

To  extol  a  person  or  thing  to  the 
stars. 

To  incite,  or  urge  on. 

To  restrain. 

To  seize  upon  the  point  where  the 
difficulty  lies. 

To  adorn  one's  self  profusely. 

To  work  with  energy  and  persever- 
ance. 

To  move  or  interest  a  person  very 
much. 

To  put  one's  self  in  the  place  of  an- 
other. 

To  make  a  fair  copy. 

To  make  a  thing  clear. 

To  train  a  person  to  a  business. 

To  do  something  wonderful ;  to  set 
the  river  on  fire. 

To  speak  of  what  should  be  kept 
secret. 

He  has  laid  me  under  deep  obliga- 
tions. 

To  place  one  in  an  honorable  post. 

To  try. 

To  stop  an  abuse  ;  to  put  a  bound. 

To  do  with  all  one's  might. 

Well  dressed. 

To  afford  one  an  unexpected  oppor- 
tunity. 

Determined  to  accomplish  some- 
thing. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


179 


Puso  en  fuego  todas  sus  facultades. 
Ponerse  serio. 

Hidalgo  de  (iuadalajara,  lo  que  pone 
á  la  noche,  no  cumple  á  la  mañana. 
Poner  en  observancia. 
Ponerse  bien  con  Dios. 
Poner  el  grito  en  el  cielo. 

Poner  nombre. 

Ponerse  en  gracia. 

Poner  á  prueba. 

Poner  complacencia  en  algo. 

Poner  los  ojos  en  algo. 

Ponerse  á  pensar. 

Poner  bien  los  dedos  en  el  instru- 
mento. 

Poner  á  caballo. 

Ponerse  bien  en  un  caballo. 

Poner  los  puntos  muy  altos. 

Poner  en  libertad  de  alguna  obliga- 
ción. 

Poner  á  costa. 

Barba  pone  mesa,  cpie  no  pierna  tiesa. 
Poner  cuero  y  correas  en  alguna  cosa. 

Se  ha  puesto  muy  hueco. 

Ponerse  de  puntillas. 

La  gallina  de  mi  vecina  mas  huevos 
pone  que  la  mia,  ó  mas  gorda  está 
que  la  mia. 

Poner  tacha. 

Ponerse  grave. 

Poner  pies  en  pared. 

Poner  tanto  hocico. 
Ponerse  como  un  trompo. 
Ser  lo  mismo  que  el  sol  puesto. 
Poner  ó  tener  en  condición. 


He  put  forth  all  his  powers. 

To  become  serious. 

One  who  promises,  Init  does  not 
perform. 

To  execute  orders  i)unctually. 

To  make  one's  peace  with  God. 

To  cry  to  heaven  ;  to  complain  bit- 
terly. 

To  baptize. 

To  expiate  by  confession. 

To  put  to  the  proof. 

To  take  pleasure  in  anything. 

To  set  one's  heart  on  a  thing. 

To  set  one's  self  to  thinking. 

To  play  an  instrument  well. 

To  teach  a  person  to  ride. 

To  be  a  thoroughly  good  rider. 

To  have  high  as|:)irations. 

To  absolve  from  promise  or  obliga- 
tion. 

To  devote  much  time  or  money  to 
an  object. 

Be  industrious,  diligent. 

To  do  something  for  another  at 
one's  own  expense. 

He  has  become  very  vain  and  osten- 
tatious. 

To  persist  obstinately  in  one's  opin- 
ion. 

My  neighbor's  hen  lays  more  eggs 
than  mine ;  other  people  have 
better  luck  than  I. 

To  make  objections. 

To  assume  an  air  of  importance. 

To  put  one's  foot  down  ;  to  be  ob- 
stinate. 

To  pout. 

To  eat  and  drink  to  satiety. 

To  be  worth  nothing. 

To  hazard  ;  to  expose  to  danger. 


180 


SPANIS/I  IDIOMS. 


Poner  ó  traer  al  tablero  alguna  cosa. 
Ponerse  en  ocasión. 
Poner  en  peligro. 
Ponerse  derecho. 

No  se  deja  poner  la  albarda. 

Ponerse  una  cosa  en  dos  é  as. 
Calzarse,  ó  ponerse  las  bragas. 

Ponérsele  á  uno. 

Poner  las  cosas  pies  con  cabeza. 

Ponerse  los  talones  en  la  nuca. 

Poner  en  prenda. 

Al  mozo   mal   mandado,  ponerle   la 

mesa  y  enviarle  al  recado. 
Poner  á  uno  en  el  extremo  de  hacer 

algo. 
Poner  las  peras  á  cuatro,  á  ocho. 

Poner  defectos. 

Poner  dificultades. 

Entre   dos    muelas    molares    nunca 

pongas  tus  pulgares. 
Poner  bien  ó  mal  á  uno. 
Poner  miedo  á  alguno. 
Poner  á  uno  una  banderilla. 
Poner  mala  voz. 
Ponerse  como  un  perro  ;  ó  hecho  un 

perro. 
Ponerse  furioso. 
Poner  en  el  suelo. 
Poner  como  un  trapo. 
Poner  manos  violentas. 
Poner  de  vuelta  y  media. 

Poner  peros. 

Poner  como  un  Cristo  á  alguno. 

¿  Quien  se  pone  á  ello  ? 

Poner  sal  á  alguno  en  la  mollera. 


To  hazard  or  endanger  anything. 

To  expose  one's  self  to  danger. 

To  put  in  peril. 

To  put  one's  self  in  the  right ;  to 
stand  upright. 

Not  to  allow  one's  self  to  be  mal- 
treated. 

To  look  unpromising. 

To  wear  the  breeches  (said  of  over- 
bearing wives). 

To  take  a  whim,  a  fancy. 

To  put  things  topsy-turvy. 

To  go  headlong,  neck  and  heels. 

To  pawn. 

The  hope  of  reward  stimulates  even 
idle  people  to  diligence. 

To  constrain  a  person  to  do  some- 
thing. 

To  urge,  or  compel  a  person  against 
his  will. 

To  find  fault. 

To  make  difficulties. 

Beware  interference  in  family  dis- 
putes. 

To  put  one  in  the  right  or  wrong. 

To  alarm. 

To  taunt,  ridicule,  or  vex  a  person. 

To  discredit  or  disgrace  a  person. 

To  get  into  a  violent  passion. 

To  become  furious. 

To  throw  do\vn. 

To  reprimand  severely. 

To  lay  violent  hands  on  a  clergyman. 

To  humiliate  a  person,  by  word  or 

action. 
To  find  fault ;  to  make  difficulties. 
To  flog  a  person  severely. 
Who  dares  to  do  it? 
To    punish    a   person    in    order   to 

brino:  him  to  his  senses. 


SF.LV/S//  /D/OMS. 


181 


Poner  de  patitas  en  la  calle. 

Ponerse  en  la  calle. 

De  (filien  pone  los  ojos  en  el  suelo, 

no  fies  tu  dinero. 
Poner  los  cinco  mandamientos. 
Poner  á  uno  los  cinco  dedos  en  la 

cara. 
Poner  en  aprietos  á  una  persona. 
Poner  talla. 

Poner  á  saco  ;  ó  meter  á  saco,  ó  á 

sacomano. 
Poner  á  uno  sobre  un  borrico. 

Poner  en  un  palo. 
Poner  á  la  sombra. 
Poner  á  uno  en  la  jaula. 
Poner  demanda. 
Poner  por  testigo. 
Poner  á  pleito. 

Poner  centinela. 
Poner  cerco. 
Poner  en  fuga. 
Poner  un  bajel  á  nado. 
Poner  las  velas  en  facha. 

Poner  la  proa  al  rumbo. 
Ponerse  en  caza. 

Poner  las  vergas  en  cruz. 
Ponerse  á  la  capa. 

Quien  á  su  enemigo  popa,  á  sus  ma- 
nos muere. 

Estar  posseido  de  mal  de  rabia. 

Bien  predica  quien  bien  vive. 

Preguntarlo  á  vuestro  padre,  que  \-u- 
estro  abuelo  no  lo  sabe. 


To  expel  from  the  house  ;  to  turri 
out. 

To  be  ostentatious. 

Do  not  trust  one  who  will  not  meet 
your  eye. 

To  lay  violent  hands  on  one. 

To  strike  a  person  in  the  face  with 
the  fist. 

To  get  another  into  scrapes. 

To  offer  a  reward  for  the  apprehen- 
sion of  a  criminal. 

To  plunder  ;  to  loot. 

To  threaten  with  public  punish- 
ment. 

To  inflict  public  punishment. 

To  imprison. 

To  put  a  person  in  jail. 

To  begin  an  action  at  law  ;  to  sue. 

To  call  as  witness. 

To  make  zealous  but  mistaken  op- 
position. 

To  post  a  sentinel. 

To  besiege. 

To  put  the  enemy  to  night. 

To  launch  a  ship  (nau.). 

To  lay  the  yartis  aback ;  to  brace 
aback  (nau.). 

To  stand  on  the  course  (nau.). 

To  manceu\re  to  escape  another 
vessel  (nau.). 

To  square  the  yards  (nau.). 

To  set  the  sails  of  a  ship  so  as  to 
hold  her  steadily  (nau. ) . 

Those  who  make  light  of  their  ene- 
mies, die  at  their  hands. 

To  have  a  toothache. 

A  good  life  is  the  best  sermon. 

To  ask  questions  of  those  who  are 
unable  to  answer. 


1S2 


SF.4X/S//  IDIOMS. 


Si  preguntáis  por  berzas,  mi  padre 
tiene  un  garbanzal. 


Prender  muerte. 

No  prende  de  ahi  el  arado. 

Prendido  ó  preso  con  alfileres. 

Prestar  paciencia. 

Prestar  atención. 

Primero  pedirla,  limosna  que  pres- 
tado. 

Á  buey  harón,  poco  le  presta  el 
aguijón. 

Hombre  que  presta,  sus  barbas  mesa. 

Quien    presta   al    amigo,   amenudo 

cobra  un  enemigo. 
El  amigo  que  no  presta,  y  el  cuchillo 

que  no  corta,  que  se  pierda  poco 

importa. 
Prevenírsele  á  uno  alguna  cosa. 
Privarse  de  juicio. 

Privarse  de  razón. 
Probó  á  levantarse,  y  no  pudó. 
Me  probó  bien  el  pais. 
Probar  ventura,  ó  fortuna. 

Probar  la  paciencia. 

Probar  las  armas. 

Probar  mal  la  tierra. 

Prueba  al  amigo  antes  que  lo  ne- 
cesites. 
Quien  menos  procura,  alcanza  bien. 


Procurar  el  camino. 


If  you  are  asking  for  a  cabbage, 
my  father  has  a  chick-pea  (con- 
temptuous retort  to  a  reply  which 
is  no  answer). 

To  get  killed. 

That  is  not  where  the  difficulty  lies. 

Imperfectly     fastened      together ; 
pinned  together. 

To  bear  with  patience. 

To  pay  attention. 

He  would  rather  beg  than  borrow. 

A  sluggish  ox  does  not  respond  to 
the  goad. 

A  man  who  lends  money  must  do  it 
cautiously. 

He  who  lends  to  a  friend  often  makes 
an  enemy. 

A  friend  who  will  not  lend,  and  a 
knife  that  will  not  cut,  may  as 
well  be  lost. 

To  occur  to  one's  mind. 

To  become  insane ;  to  lose  one's 
mind. 

To  be  distracted  with  passion. 

He  attempted  to  rise,  and  could  not. 

The  country  agreed  with  me. 

To  try  one's  fortune  ;  to  risk  an  in- 
vestment ;  to  venture  upon. 

To  annoy  a  person,  or  try  his  pa- 
tience. 

To  test  one's  dexterity  in  the  use  of 
arms. 

To  disagree  with  the  health  (said  of 
climate). 

Prove  thy  friend  e'er  thou  hast  need 
of  him. 

He  who  asks  fewest  favors  is  best 
received.  It  is  a  mistake  to  be 
over-anxious. 

To  open  the  way ;  to  facilitate. 


SP.IX/SJI  IDIOMS.  183 

Mas  produce  cl  ;iuu  (juc  el  campo      The  crops  depend   more   upon  the 

bien  labrado.  season  than  the  cuhisation. 

Prolongarse  á  la  costa.  To    coast,     or    range     along    shore 

(nau.). 
Prometer  este  mundo,  y  el  otro.  To  make  great  i)romises. 

El  escudero  de  Ciuadalajara,   de  lo      Readiness   to  promise  does  not  al- 
que  promete  á  la  noche,  no  hay  ways  indicate  readiness  to  fulfil, 

nada  á  la  mañana. 
Pronunciar  votos  solemnes.  To  take  the  vows  ;    to   enter  a  re- 

ligious order. 
Propasar  la  estima.  To  outrun  the  reckoning  (nau.). 

Se  ha  propasado  á  decirme  mentí.  He  had  the  audacity  to  tell  me  that 

I  lied. 
El  hombre  propone,  y  Dios  dispone.      Man  proposes,  and  God  disposes. 
Protestar  una  letra.  To  protest  a  bill  of  exchange. 

Publicar  armas.  To  give  a  public  challenge. 

Purificarse  la  condición.  To  fulfil  a  promise  ;  to  discharge  an 

obligation. 
Buen  corazón  quebranta  mala  ven-      (lOod  courage  breaks  bad  luck. 

tura. 
Quebrar  el  carazón.  To  break  one's  heart. 

Quebrarse  la  cabeza.  -  To  puzzle  one's  self. 

Quebrar  amistad.  To  cut  an  acquaintance. 

Quebrar  lanzas.  To  quarrel  ;  to  dispute  ;   to  remove 

impediments. 
Quebrar  el  ojo  al  diablo.  To  do  that  which  is  best,  most  just, 

and  reasonable. 
La   mujer  honrada   la   pierna   que-      The  respectable  wom.an  should  keep 

brada,  y  en  casa.  at  home. 

Á   la   mala   costumbre   quebrarle   la      An  evil  habit  must  be  overcome. 

pierna. 
Al  mal  uso  quebrarle  la  pierna,  ó  la      Habit  is  no  excuse  for  evil  practices. 

hueca. 
La  soga  quiebra  siempre  por  lo  más      The  rope  always  breaks  at  its  weak- 
delgado.  est  point ;  when  two  quarrel,  the 

weakest  goes  to  the  wall. 
Quebrar  la  soga  por  alguno.  Not  to  perform  what  one  has  prom- 

ised. 
Quebrar  la  condición,  ó  el  natural.         To  soothe   or  moderate  a   person's 

temper. 
Quebrar  el  hilo.  To  break  the  thread  ;  to  interrupt. 


1S4 


SPAÁ'ISH  IDIOMS. 


No  sabe  quebrar  un  plato. 


Al  quebrar  del  alba. 

Quebréme  el  pié,  quiza  por  bien. 

i  Quebrásteme  la  cabeza,  y  ahora  me 

untas  el  casco  ! 
La  verdad  adelgaza  y  no  quiebra. 

No  quiebra  delgado,  sino    gordo  y 

mal  hilado. 
Mas  vale  doblarse  que  quebrarse. 
Andar  de  pié  quebrado. 

Tantas  veces  va  el  cantero  á  la  fuente 

que  al  fin  se  quiebra. 
Quedar  sin  novedad. 
Quedar  por  alguno. 
Quedar  con  uno. 
El  negocio  no  quedará  por  él. 

Quedar  una  cosa  por  hacer. 
Quedarse  con  una  cosa. 
Queda  en  limpio  .  .  . 
Quedar  limpio. 

Quedar  en  hacer  una  cosa. 
Quedar  bien  ó  mal. 

Vanse  los  amores,  y  quedan  los  do- 
lores. 
Quedar  por  valiente. 
Quedar  con  lucimiento. 

Ahí  te  quedan  las  llaves. 

El  que  adelante  no   mira,  atrás   se 

(jueda. 
No  quedar  por  corta,  ni  mal  echada. 


She  does  not  know  enough  to  break 

a  plate  ;  she  does  not  know  a  bee 

from  a  broomstick. 
At  dawn  of  day  ;  at  daybreak. 
I    broke    my   leg,    perhaps    for    my 

good. 
You  have  broken  my  head,  and  now 

you  would  salve  my  skull  ! 
The  truth  may  run  fine,  but  will  not 

break. 
It  is  not   the  fine    thread,  but   the 

coarse  and  badly  spun,  that  breaks. 
Better  to  bend  than  to  break. 
To  be  on  the  decline  ;  to  be  in  nar- 
row circumstances. 
The  pitcher  that  goes  often  to  the 

fountain  is  broken  at  last. 
To  be  in  good  health. 
To  become  surety  for  any  one. 
To  agree,  or  compound,  with  anyone. 
The   business  will    not   fail   on    his 

account. 
Something  remains  to  be  done. 
To  retain  something. 
The  net  profit  is  .  .  . 
To  have  but  an    empty  purse  ;    no 

money  left. 
To  agree  to  do  anything. 
To  come  off  well  or  ill ;  to  succeed 

or  fail. 
Love  brings  sorrow  in  its  train. 

To  pass  for  a  brave  man. 

To  accomplish  an  undertaking  suc- 
cessfully. 

I  trust  my  affairs  (my  keys)  to  you  ; 
I  depend  upon  you. 

He  who  does  not  look  forward  will 
be  sure  to  remain  behind. 

To  leave  no  stone  unturned  in  the 
effort  to  accomplish  a  purpose. 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


185 


El  campo  (¡uedó  i)ür  los  Americanos. 
(Quedar  el  brazo  sano  á  alguno. 

No  quedar  á  uno  cera  en  el  oido. 

No  quedarse  á  deber  nada. 
Quedar  por  andar. 
Quedarse  para  tia,  ó  para  vestir  imá- 
genes. 
Quedarse  á  la  espiga. 

Quedarle  á  uno  algo  en  el  estómago. 

Quedar  en  pelota. 

Quedar  inmóvil. 

Quedar  debajo. 

Quedarse  en  agalla. 

•Quedar  de  non. 

Quedarse  en  ayunas  de  alguna  cosa. 

Quedarse  atrás. 

Quedarse  á  espadas. 

No  quedar  títere  con  cara,  ó  ca- 
beza. 

Quedársele  á  uno  en  el  tintero. 

Quedar,  ó  quedarse  la  dificultad  en 
pié. 

Para  tonto,  quedarse  en  casa. 

Quedarse  á  media  miel. 

Quedarse  en  descubierto. 
Quedarse  á  oscuras ;  á  buenas  noch- 
es; ó  en  blanco. 

Quedarse  al  son  de  buenas  nocnes  ; 
ó  quedarse  alpiste  ;  ó  en  álbis. 

Quedarse  bailando  el  pelado  ;  ó  que- 
darse tocando  tabletas. 

Quedarse  soplando  las  uñas  ;  ó  que- 
darse fresco. 

Quedarse  asperges. 


'The  Americans  were  victorious. 

To  have  a  fortune  left,  notwithstand- 
ing great  expenses. 

He  has  lost  his  fortune ;  he  has 
nothing  left. 

To  be  even  with  a  person. 

To  have  to  walk  farther. 

To  become  an  old  maid. 

To  remain  till  the  last  in  order  to 

collect  the  fragments. 
To  be  reticent. 
To  strip  naked. 
To  be  struck  motionless. 
To  get  the  worst  of  an  affair. 
To  be  deceived  in  one's  hopes. 
To  be  or  remain  quite  alone. 
Not  to  understand  a  word   of  the 

matter. 
To  be  inferior. 

To  lose  all  one  has  in  gambling. 
Complete  destruction. 

To  forget  a  thing  entirely. 
The  difficulty  still  remains. 

To  act  wisely  in  an  affair. 

To  be  deprived  of  something  one 

was  beginning  to  enjoy. 
To  be  out  in  the  cold. 
To  be  left  in  the  dark  (lit.  or  fig.)  ; 

to  lose  ;    to  fail  to  obtain  ;  to  be 

left  in  the  lurch. 
To  be  disappointed. 

To  be  disapponited. 

To  fail ;  to  be  disappointed,  dis- 
gusted. 

To  be  disappointed  in  one's  expec- 
tations :  not  to  understand  at  all. 


ISc 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Quedar  todos  iguales  ;  ó  dejar  á  todos 

iguales. 
Quedarse  hecho  una  pieza. 
Quedarse  helado. 
Quedarse  yerto. 

Quedarse  frió. 

Quedarse  en  pulsos. 
Quedarse  muerto. 

Quedar  abochornado. 

No  ir,  ó  no  quedarse  en  zaga. 

Quien  á  mí  me  trasquiló,  las  tijeras 

le  quedaron  en  la  mano. 
Quedarse    en    la   estacada ;    en   el 

campo. 
No  quedar   gota   de   sangre    en    el 

cuerpo. 
Aun  (¡ueda  el  rabo  por  desollar. 

Quedar  por  cobarde. 
Quedarse  con  una  afrenta  en  el  cu- 
erpo. 
Quedarse  en  la  calle. 
Quedar  armado. 
Quejarse  de. 
Quejarse  de  vicio. 

El  galgo  y  el  gavilán  no  se  quejan 
por  la  presa,  sino  porque  es  su 
ralea. 

La  casa  quemada,  acudir  con  el  agua. 

Alegraos  albaredos  que  se  quema  el 

bálago. 
Quema  que  rabia. 
Quemarse  las  cejas. 

Quémese  la  casa  y  no  salga  humo. 


They  are  all  alike  disappointed. 

To  be  astonished,  thunderstruck. 

To  be  astonished,  thunderstruck. 

To  be  petrified  with  fear  or  astonish- 
ment. 

To  be  struck  with  fear  or  astonish- 
ment. 

To  be  dispirited,  discouraged. 

To  be  surprised  and  grieved  by  sud- 
den news. 

To  feel  mortified. 

Not  to  be  inferior  to  any  one. 

He  who  clipped  me  has  kept  the 
scissors,  and  can  do  it  again. 

To  be  defeated ;  to  die  on  the 
battle-field  ;    to  be  killed. 

To  be  overcome  with  terror. 

The  evil  is  not  yet  over ;  the  worst 

is  to  come. 
To  pass  for  a  coward. 
To  pocket  an  insult. 

To  be  completely  destitute. 

To  be  armed. 

To  clamor  against. 

To  complain  without  cause  ;  to  make 

ado  about  trifles. 
Low  people  follow  their  low  instincts. 


To  come  with  water  when  the  house 

is  burned  down ;  to  be  too  late. 
To  boast  of  that  which  should   be 

regretted. 
It  is  horribly  hot. 
To  burn  the  midnight  oil ;  to  study 

much. 
If  you  must  quarrel,  do  so  without 

noise. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


187 


Quemarle  á  alguno  la  estatua. 
¡  Quemadas  se  vean  tus  palabras  ! 

Quemarse  la  sangre ;  ó  pudrirse  la 

sangre. 
Hacienda    de    sobrino   quémala    el 

fuego,  y  llévala  el  rio. 
En  la  i)uerta  del  horno  se  quema  el 

pan. 
Como  asi  me  lo  quiero. 
Como  V.  quisiere. 
¿Á  qué  quieres  boca?  ó  á  pedir  de 

boca. 
¿Que  mas  quiere? 
Quien  bien  quiere,  tarde  olvida. 
Quien  quiere  á  Beltran,  bien  quiere 

a  su  can. 
Quien  te  quiere,  te  hará  llorar. 
Cabeza  loca  no  quiere  toca. 
Si  quieres  ser  bien  senido,  sírvete  á 

ti  mismo. 
Quien  todo  lo  quiere,  todo  lo  pierde. 
Pintar  como  querer. 

Sin  querer. 

Quien  bien  quiere,  bien  obedece. 

Mas  hace  el  que  quiere,  que  el  que 

puede. 
Si  bien  me  quieres,  trátame    como 

sueles. 
Que  quiera  que  no  quiera. 
Si   quieres   empobrecer,    compra  lo 

que  no  has  menester. 
Como  mi  hijo  entre  fraile,  mas  que 

no  me  quiera  nadie. 
¿Cual  hijo  quieres?  al  niño  cuando 

crece,  y  al  enfermo  mientras  ado- 
lece. 
Quien  á  su  perro  quiere  matar,  rabia 

le  ha  de  levantar. 


To  speak  against  the  absent. 
May  your  words    be    burned  !    (re- 
proach for  malice). 
To  be  subject  to  constant  vexations. 

Guardians  should  be  faithful  to  their 

trust. 
There  is  many  a  slip  'twixt  cup  and 

lip. 
As  I  choose  ;  just  as  I  desire  it. 
As  you  like. 
According  to  one's  wishes. 

What  more  does  he  want? 
True  love  never  forgets. 
Love  me,  love  my  dog. 

He  who  loves  you  will  chasten  you. 

The  foolish  dislike  correction. 

If  you  would  be  well  served,  serve 

yourself. 
He  who  grasps  all,  loses  all. 
To  color  a  description  to  suit  one's 

self. 
Unwillingly  ;  undesignedly. 
With    good   will,    one    can    always 

please. 
A   good   will    is   worth    more    than 

power  or  talent. 
If  you  love  me,  use  me  as  you  will. 

Whether  he  likes  it  or  not. 

If  you    would    become    poor,    buy 

useless  things. 
We  like  the  gratification  of  our  own 

wishes,  even  at  the  cost  of  another. 
Parents  love  most  dearly  an  infirm 

or  unfortunate  child. 

He  who  wants    his   dog    killed  has 
only  to  say  that  he  is  mad. 


ISS 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


11 


No  quiero  perro  con  cencerro. 

Eso  se  quiere  la  mona,  piñoncitos 

mondados. 
Cabra  coja  no  quiere  siesta^ 

El  comer  y  el  rascar  no  quiere  mas 

que  empezar. 
La  razón  no  quiere  fuerza. 
Costumbre  buena,  ó  costumbre  mala, 

el  villano  quiere  que  vala. 
¿Quieres   que  te  siga  el  can?  dale 

pan. 
Cuando  Dios  no   quiere,  los  santos 

no  pueden. 
Mal  me  quieren  mis  compadres  por- 
que les  digo  las  verdades. 
El  mandar  no  quiere  par. 
Eso  queremos  los  de  á  caballo,  que 

salga  el  toro. 
No  le  quiere  mal  quien  le  hurta  al 

viejo  lo  que  ha  de  cenar. 
Palabras  señales  no  quieren  testigos. 

¡  Aqui  te  quiero,  escopeta  ! 

Si  quieres  buena  fama,  no  te  dé  el  sol 

en  la  cama. 
De  lo  ajeno,  lo  que  quisiere  su  dueño. 

¿  Para  que  quiere  mas  dia  de  fiesta  ? 

Quien  quiere  muía  sin  tacha,  ándese 

á  pié. 
No  querer  cuentas  con  otro. 

Si  quieres  engordar,  come  con  ham- 
bre, y  bebe  á  vagar. 
Quien  peces  quiere,  mojarse  tiene. 

Quien  bien  quiere,  de  lejos  ve. 
Querer  ó  intentar  algo  por  su  bella 
cara. 


I  want  no  dog  with  a  bell. 

The   monkey  would   like   her   nuts 

ready  shelled. 
He  who  has  but  little    talent  must 

study  so  much  the  harder. 
Appetite  comes  with  its  indulgence. 

Reason  must  prevail  over  force. 

People  are  tenacious  of  habits,  wheth- 
er good  or  bad. 

Would  you  have  the  dog  follow  you  ? 
feed  him. 

If  God  wills  not,  the  saints  cannot. 

Unvarnished  truth  is  often  unwel- 
come. 

Too  many  cooks  spoil  the  broth. 

To  desire  a  thing  greatly,  even  though 
it  be  dangerous. 

Old  people  are  better  for  not  eating 
suppers. 

Beware  of  impulsive  words  before 
witnesses. 

Now  is  the  moment  !  (for  escape). 

If  you  desire  a  good  reputation,  do 
not  be  idle. 

Even  small  fa\-ors  should  be  grate- 
fully received. 

Having  so  much,  why  should  he 
wish  for  more? 

He  who  requires  a  steed  without  a 
fault  had  better  go  a- foot. 

To  prefer  to  have  no  dealings  with 
a  person. 

If  you  wish  to  grow  fat,  eat  when 
you  are  hungry,  and  drink  slowly. 

He  who  would  catch  fish  must  not 
mind  a  wetting. 

A  well-wisher  sees  from  afar. 

To  aspire  to  something  which  one 
does  not  deserve. 


Sr.LV/S//  IDIOMS. 


189 


Quien  no  (]uiera  ver  lástimas,  que  no 

vaya  á  la  guerra. 
Cuando  Dios  tjuiere,  con  todos  aires 

llueve. 
Cuando  Dios  cjuiere,  en  sereno  llueve. 

Quien  quiere  á  la  col,  quiere  á  las 

hojas  de  alrededor. 
Quien  quiere  ruido,  compre  cochino. 
Mas  quiere  maña  que  fuerza. 
Bien  quisto  ;  ó  mal  quisto. 

Caballo  que  vuela,  no  (juiere  espuela. 

Quien  mas  tiene,  mas  quiere. 

El  que  quiere  azul  celeste,  que  le 
cueste. 

Reinos  y  dineros  no  quieren  com- 
pañeros. 

No  quiero,  no  quiero,  pero  echádmelo 
en  el  sombrero. 

Querer  contar  las  estrellas. 

Ni  siquiera  quiso  escucharle. 
Tanto  quiso  el  diablo  á  sus  hijos,  que 

les  sacó  los  ojos. 
No  quiso  hacer  la  prueba. 
Por  mi  dinero,  papá  le  quiero. 

Bien  te  quiero,  bien  te  quiero,  mas 

no  te  doy  mi  dinero. 
El    que    quiere    probar  la    olla    del 

vecino,  ha  de  quitar  la  cobertera 

á  la  suya. 
Cuando    uno    no    quiere,    dos    no 

barajan. 
Quien  quiere  tomar,  conviénele  dar. 
Á  quien  Dios  quiere,  la  casa  le  sube. 
Querer  atar  las  lenguas    es   querer 

poner  puertas  al  campo. 

¡  Quiera  Dios  ! 


Tiiosc  who  do  not  wish  to  be  injured 
shoukl  not  run  into  danger. 

AMicn  Cud  wills,  all  winds  bring 
rain. 

If  God  pleases,  it  may  rain  out  of  a 
clear  sky. 

He  who  would  gather  the  fruit  must 
care  for  the  plant. 

He  who  loves  noise  should  buy  a  pig. 

Skill  is  better  than  strength. 

Well  received,  generally  beloved ; 
or  the  contrary. 

Do  not  spur  the  willing  horse. 

The  more  one  has,  the  more  he  wants. 

The  best  things  are  the  most  difficult 
of  attainment. 

Kingdoms  and  other  people's  for- 
tunes are  difficult  to  manage. 

To  pretend  carelessness  when  really 
anxious. 

To  try  to  count  the  stars  ;  to  attempt 
the  impossible. 

He  would  not  even  listen  to  him. 

To  injure  by  indulgence. 

He  would  not  try  the  experiment. 
If  I  pay  for  the  best,  I  should  have 

the  best. 
Fair-weather  friendships. 

He  who  would  enjoy  the  hospitality 
of  his  neighbor  must  be  hospit- 
able himself. 

Two  cannot  quarrel,  if  one  does  not 
choose  to  do  so. 

He  who  would  take,  must  give. 

The  lucky  are  siu^e  to  win. 

Trying  to  stop  peoples'  tongues  is 
trying  to  put  gates  on  an  open 
plain. 

God  srrant  ! 


190 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


1 


Cuando  quiera. 

Querer  mas. 

¿Que  quiere  decir  eso? 

Como  quiera. 

Querer  decir. 

Quitarse  la  mascarilla. 

Peso  y   medida   quitan   al   hombre 

fatiga. 
Quitar  ó  raer  del  casco. 

Carne  de  pluma  quita  del  rostro  la 

arruga. 
Quitárselo  de  la  boca,  ó  de  su  comer. 

Quien    quita    la    ocasión,    quita    el 

pecado. 
Quitar  un  tributo. 
Sin  quitífr  ni  poner. 
Eso  ni  quita  ni  pone. 
No  quitar  los  ojos. 
Quitar  la  paja. 

En  quitarme  allá  esas  pajas. 

Por  quítame  allá  esas  pajas. 

No  quitar  pinta. 

Quitar  lavando. 

Estar  al  quitar. 

Á  quitar. 

Quitarse  un  tajo. 

Quitar  las  barbas. 

Quitado  esto. 

Quíteselo  V.  de  la  cabeza. 

Quitar  el  cabestro. 

Quitarse  de  cuentos. 

¡  Yo  te  quitarré  los  mocos  ! 
Quitáronlo  á  la  tuerta,  y  diéronlo  á 

la  ciega. 
Quitar  de  un  Santo  para  poner  en 

otro. 


At  any  time. 

To  prefer. 

What  does  that  mean? 

Anyway  ;  anyhow  ;  as  you  like. 

To  mean  ;  to  intend  to  say. 

To  say  boldly  what  one  thinks. 

Method  saves  labor. 

To  dissuade  a  person  from  a  cher- 
ished plan. 
Nutritious  food  conduces  to  vigor. 

To  deny  one's  self  for  the  sake  of 

another. 
He  who   avoids   temptation   avoids 

sin. 
To  abolish  a  tax. 

\\'ithout  exaggeration  or  omission. 
This  alters  nothing. 
To  look  carefully,  attentively. 
To  taste  the  wine  from  a  glass  before 

another  drinks. 
Very  quickly. 
For  little  or  no  reason. 
Not  to  differ  at  all. 
To  wash  away. 

To  be  on  the  point  of  finishing. 
Of  short  duration. 
To  parry  a  stroke  in  fencing. 
To  get  shaved. 
Excepting  thi^ ;  besides  this. 
Get  that  idea  out  of  your  head. 
To  slip  the  halter. 

To   neglect    the    details   of  an   af- 
fair. 
I  will  give  you  a  sound  whipping. 
To  take  an  office  from  a  one-eyed 

man,  and  give  it  to  a  blind  one. 
To  take  a  thing  or  office  maliciously 

from  one  person,  and  bestow  it 

upon  another. 


Sr.lXISI/  IDIOMS. 


191 


Eso  es  como  ciuitarlo  del  altar. 

Quitar  la  voluntad. 

Quitar   á   uno    alguna   cosa    de    la 

-  cabeza. 
Quitarse  el  embozo. 
Quitar  á  uno  el  pellejo. 


Quitar  á  uno  el  ir  á  paseo. 

Agua  por  San  Juan,  quita  vino  y  no 

da  pan. 
Quitar  un  empleo. 
\  Quítate  de  ahi  ! 
i  Quita  alia  ! 

Quitar  la  hojaldre  al  pastel. 
Quitar  á  uno  la  capa. 
i  Te  quitaré  la  crisma  ! 
Quitar  del  medio  ;  ó  de  un  medio  ; 

ó  quitar  á  uno  la  vida. 
Recetar  en  buena  botica. 

Refrescar  los  cables. 

Refrescar  los  víveres. 

Refundir  infamia. 

Á  regaña  dientes. 

No  registrar. 

El  sano  al  doliente  so  regla  lo  mete. 

Regular  los  votos. 

¡  Á  Dios  y  riámonos  !  como  dijo  un 
ciego  á  otro. 

Reir  á  carcajadas. 

Reírse  por  nada. 

Ríese  el  Diablo  cuando  el  hambriento 

da  al  harto. 
Reírse  de  .  .  . 
Pujo  de  reir. 
Relevar  el  turno  á  la  bomba  ó  son- 

dalesa. 


To  deprive  a  person  of  a  very  need- 
ful thing. 

To  dissuade  a  ¡person  from  a  ¡jur- 
pose. 

To  dissuade  a  person. 

To  unmask. 

To  cheat  a  person  out  of  all  he  has  : 

to  pluck  a  pigeon. 
To  prohibit  one  from  taking  a  walk. 
June  rains  are  bad  for  grapes,  and 

do  wheat  no  good. 
To  suppress  an  office. 
Get  out  of  that  ! 
Be  off !  go  !  nonsense  ! 
To  detect  a  fraud,  or  theft. 
To  rob  a  person. 
I  will  break  your  head  ! 
To  kill  a  person. 

To  spend  extravagantly,  depending 
on  generous  friends. 

To  freshen  the  nip  (nau.).  ' 

To  take  in  fresh  provisions. 

To  defame  ;  to  dishonor. 

With  great  reluctance. 

To  do  anything  precipitately. 

Those  who  are  free  from  vice  should 
restrain  those  who  are  tempted. 

To  count  the  votes. 

God  be  with  us,  and  let  the  rest 
go  !  as  one  blind  man  said  to  an- 
other. 

To  laugh  immoderately. 

To  giggle. 

The  devil  laughs  when  the  poor  man 
gives  to  the  rich. 

To  laugh  at  .  .  . 

An  irresistible  desire  to  laugh. 

To  spell  the  pump  or  the  lead 
(nau.). 


192 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


1 


Relucir  la  espalda. 


Relucir  el  pelo. 

No  es  oro  todo  lo  que  reluce. 

Remachar  el  clavo. 


Remacharle  las  narices  á  uno. 

Rematar  un  ajuste. 
Rematar  en  el  mayor  postor. 

Rematar  á  presidio. 

Lo  que  no  se  puede  remediar,  se  ha 
de  aguantar. 

Hidalgo  honrado,  antes  roto  que  re- 
mendado. 

Remienda  tu  paño,  y  pasarás  el  año. 

Remojar  la  palabra. 

Rendir  marea. 

Rendir  la  guardia. 

Rendir  las  armas. 

Rendir  la  espada. 

Rendirse  sin  condición. 

Reniego  de  bestia  que   en  invierno 

tiene  siesta. 
Reniega  del  amigo  que  cubre  con  las 

alas,  y  muerde  con  el  pico. 
Riñen  las  comadres,  y  se  dicen  las 

verdades. 
Renovar  la  llaga. 

Renovar  la  herida. 

Renovar  la  memoria. 
Renunciarse  á  si  mismo. 
Reparar  en  pelillos. 
Reparar  el  timón. 
Reposar  la  comida. 
Resollar  por  la  herida. 


To  have  a  large  marriage  portion ; 
to  be  rich. 

To  be  fat. 

All  is  not  gold  that  glitters. 

To  add  error  to  error ;  to  make 
things  worse  by  unwise  attempts 
to  better  them. 

To  flatten  a  person's  nose  with  a 
blow. 

To  strike  a  bargain. 

To  sell  or  knock  down  to  the  high- 
est bidder. 

To  condemn  to  the  state-prison. 

What  can't  be  cured  must  be  en- 
dured. 

The  gentleman  of  honor,  ragged 
rather  than  patched. 

Be  careful  of  your  clothes,  and  they 
will  last  the  longer. 

To  go  and  drink  in  a  dram-shop. 

To  stem  the  tide. 

To  set  the  watch  (mil.). 

To  surrender. 

To  surrender  one's  self  as  prisoner. 

To  surrender  unconditionally. 

I  detest  a  lazy  animal. 

Avoid  those  who  flatter  when  pres- 
ent, and  injure  when  absent. 

When  gossips  quarrel,  they  tell  bit- 
ter truths. 

To  revive  a  painful  remembrance ; 
to  increase  a  sorrow. 

To  remind  another  of  a  sorrowful 
fact. 

To  refresh  the  memory. 

To  give  up  one's  own  will  or  taste. 

To  take  offence  at  trifles. 

To  right  the  helm  (nau.). 

To  rest  after  eating. 

To  betray  latent  resentment. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


19j 


No  resolló. 

No  respiró. 

No  tener  jior  donde  respirar. 

Respirar  i)or  la  herida. 

No  retener  nada  en  el  estómago. 
Está  retentado  de  la  gota. 

Reteñir  las  orejas. 

Retirarse  ó  recogerse  á  buen  vivir. 

No  huye  el  que  se  retira,  dijo  Don 

Quijote. 
Confieso  que  me  he  retirado,  pero 

no  he  huido. 
Retozar  con  el  verde. 
Retozar  la  risa. 
Una  bóveda  retumba. 
Reventar  de  risa. 
Reventar  la  mina. 
Á  todo  reventar. 
El  buen  viejo  reverdece. 
Reventar  de  envidia,  de  celos. 
Revestírsele  á  uno  el  diablo  ;    ó  el 

demonio. 
Revolver  el  hato. 
Revolver  las  tripas. 
Revolver  la  feria. 
Revolver  el  ajo,  ó  caldos. 
Bien  reza,  pero  mal  ofrece. 
El  calendario  reza  agua. 
¡  Cuando  el   diablo  reza,  engañarte 

quiere  ! 
Rodearse  de  fausto. 
Lo  rodean  domesticas  satisfacciones 

é  hijos  amantes. 
Me  rodean  tantos  cuidados. 
¡  Ruede  la  bola  ! 
Rodar  mundo  ;  ó  ver  mundo. 
Rodar  la  fortuna  á  alguno  ;  ó  soplar 

la  fortuna  á  alguno. 


He  did  not  utter  a  word. 

He  did  not  open  his  lips. 

To  have  no  valid  answer  to  a  charge. 

To  speak  ill  of  one  who  has  offended 

us. 
Not  to  be  able  to  keep  a  secret. 
He  is  threatened  with  another  attack 

of  gout. 
To  grate  on  the  ear. 
To  abandon  vice  or  bad  habit ;  to 

reform. 
To  retreat   is   not   to   fly,  said  Don 

Quixote. 
I  confess  that  I  retreated,  but  I  did 

not  fly. 
To  revel  ;  to  feast  merrily. 
To  be  moved  to  laughter, 
A  vault  resounds. 
To  burst  into  laughter. 
To  discover  anything  hidden. 
At  most  ;  at  the  extreme. 
The  good  old  man  rejuvenates. 
To  be  bursting  with  envy,  or  jealousy^ 
To  become  furiously  angry. 

To  promote  discord. 

To  cause  great  disgust. 

To  disturb  the  course  of  business. 

To  revive  disturbances  and  disputes. 

To  offer  much,  and  do  little. 

The  almanac  announces  rain. 

\Mien  the  devil  prays,  beware  ! 

To  be  ostentatious. 

He   possesses    a   happy  home   and 

loving  children. 
I  have  so  many  cares. 
1  don't  care  !  let  it  go  as  it  will  ! 
To  travel. 
To  be  lucky. 


194 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Roer  el  anzuelo,  ó  el  lazo. 

Roer  los  zancajos. 

A  Dios  rogando,  y  con  el  mazo  dando. 

Rogar  á  Dios  por  Santos,  mas  no  por 

tantos. 
Rogar  al  Santo  hasta  pasar  el  tranco. 

Romper  la  valla. 

La  codicia  rompe  el  saco. 

La  cuerda  siempre  rompe  por  lo  mas 

delgado. 
No  romper  lanza  con  nadie. 
Romper  la  voz. 
Romper  las  oraciones. 

Romper  los  cascos. 

Romper  un  camino, 
j  Rompe  galas  ! 

Con  salud  le  rompa. 

'Saber  la  carta  de  marear. 
Saber  á  que  atenerse. 
Saber  un  punto  mas  que  el  diablo. 
No  saber  el  paradero  de  alguno. 

No  saber  de  sí. 
Yo  sé  que  es  hombre  de  bien. 
Lo  que  saben  tres,  sabe  toda  res. 
Quien  más  sabe,  más  calla. 
Quien  poco  sabe,  presto  lo  reza. 
Sabe  (jue  rabia. 

:Saber  algo  de  buena  tinta. 
^No  sé  que. 

Saber  bastante  para  su  año. 
Ratón  que  no  sabe  mas  cpe  un  horado, 
pronto  es  cazado. 


To  escape  from  a  danger. 

To  gossip  ;  to  talk  against  people. 

Pray  devoutly,  and  hammer  stoutly. 

Excess  is  wrong,  even  in  a  good 
cause. 

To  invoke  the  saints  while  the  emer- 
gency lasts. 

To  make  a  beginning ;  to  exceed 
bounds. 

Grasp  all,  lose  all. 

The  cord  always  breaks  at  the  weak- 
est point. 

To  be  of  a  peaceful  disposition. 

To  train  the  voice  for  singing. 

To  disturb  a  conversation  imper- 
tinently. 

To  break  one's  head  ;  to  wear)-  with 
close  study. 

To  build  a  road. 

Beware  of  injury  to  your  dress  ! 
(irony  to  a  person  in  tatters). 

To  congratulate  one  who  has  on  a 
new  dress. 

To  know  how  to  behave,  or  to  act. 

To  know  how  to  act. 

To  outwit  the  devil. 

Not  to  know  what  has  become  of 
him. 

To  be  overwhelmed  with  occupation. 

I  know  he  is  an  honest  man. 

^Vhat  three  know,  everybody  knows. 

He  who  knows  most  says  least. 

He  who  knows  little  soon  tells  it. 

It  has  a  strong  taste.  He  is  very 
skilful. 

To  know  a  thing  on  good  authority. 

I  know  not  what ;  an  inexplicable 
something. 

To  manage  well  for  one's  age. 

A  rat  that  has  but  one  way  of  escape 
is  easily  caught. 


1 


SPA  NI S//  IDIOMS. 


195 


Las  migajas  del  fardel,  á  veces  saben 

bien. 
La  gala  del  nadador  es  saber  guardar 

la  ropa. 
No  saberlo  la  tierra. 

Saber  las  vidas  ajenas. 

Quien  no  sabe  abuelo,  no   sabe  de 

bueno. 
Mucho  sabe  la  zorra,  pero  mas  (piien 

la  toma. 
Quien  las  sabe,  las  tañe. 

Mas  sabe  el  necio  en  su  casa  que  el 

cuerdo  en  la  ajena. 
Cada  uno  sabe  donde  le  aprieta  el 

zapato. 
Aquel  sabe  que  se  salva  ;  que  el  otro 

no  sabe  nada. 
Conviene  á  saber  ;  ó  es  á  saber. 
Si  quieres  saber  el  valor  de  un  peso, 

pídelo  prestado. 
Quien  no  sabe  que  es  guerra,  vaya  á 

ella. 
Hacer  saber. 

Saber  una  cosa  como  el  Ave-Mari^. 
j  Sabe  Dios  !  ó  ¡  Sábelo  Dios  ! 
No  se  sabe. 
Saber  con  puntualidad. 
Sépase  quien  es  Calleja. 

No  saber  el  Cristus. 
No  sabe  ni  el  Jesús. 

No  saber  donde  se  tienen  los  ojos. 

Saber  cuantas  son  cinco. 

Saber  mucho  Latin. 

Saber  de  carretilla,  de  memoria. 

No  saber  la  cartilla. 

Saber  á  no  dudarlo. 

Todo  se  sabe  hasta  lo  de  la  callejuela. 


Unconsidered    trifles  sometimes  do 

good  service. 
The  first  point  in  business  is  to  avoid 

loss. 
To  proceed  in  any  affair  with  great 

secrecy. 
To  inquire  into  other  peoi)le's  lives. 
Those    who    have    no    grandparents 

lose  very  much. 
The  fox  is  cunning,  but  his  captor 

is  more  so. 
One  should  speak  only  of  what  one 

understands. 
The   fool   knows  more   of  his  own 

house  than  the  wise  of  another's. 
Every  one  knows  where  his  own  shoe 

pinches. 
It  is  better  to  be  lucky  than  wise. 

That  is  ;  to  wit. 

If  you  wish  to  know  the  value  of  a 

dollar,  ask  the  loan  of  it. 
To  give  advice  ignorantly.         > 

To  make  known. 

To  have  a  thing  at  one's  tongue's  end. 

God  knows  ! 

It  is  not  known. 

To  know  exactly. 

They   will   soon   know   with   whom 

they  have  to  deal. 
To  be  an  ignoramus. 
Not  to  know  even  the  alphabet  ;  to 

be  quite  uneducated. 
To  be  very  ignorant  and  unobser\ant. 
To  be  well  informed. 
To  be  very  sagacious  and  prudente 
To  know  by  heart. 
To  be  extremely  ignorant. 
To  know  for  certain. 
Truth  will  out,  though  hid  in  a  well. 


196 


SFA.y/SH  IDIOMS. 


No  saber  á  que  carta  quedarse. 

No  saber  que  pensar  de  una  cosa. 

Saber  á  la  pez. 

No  saber  lo  que  se  pesca. 

No  sabe  en  donde  tiene  la  cara. 

Saber  mas  que  las  culebras. 

Sabérselo  todo. 

Bien    sabe    el    asno    en   cuya   cara 

rebuzna. 
Bien  sabe  el  sabio  que  no  sabe ;  el 

necio  piensa  que  sabe. 

Saber  de  que  pié  se  cojea. 

Sacar  el  ascua  con  la  mano  ajena  ;  ó 

sacar  castañas  del   fuego  con  la 

mano  del  gato. 
Sacar  sangre. 
Can  que  mucho  lame,  saca  sangre. 

Sacar  una  cosa  de  quicio. 

Sacar  en  claro. 

Sacar  á  luz,  ó  dar  á  luz. 

Sacar  al  tablado. 

Sacar  á  la  plaza ;    ó  á  relucir ;   ó  á 

volar. 
Sacar  á  alguno  los  trapos  al  sol. 
Esa  pasión  te  saca  de  ti. 
Sacar  los  ojos. 
Sacar  el  pescuezo. 
Sacar  de  tino. 

Sacarle  á  uno  de  sus  casillas. 
Sacar  mal  la  cuenta. 
Sacar  de  la  puja. 

Juan   es   malicioso,   pero    Pedro   le 

saca  de  la  puja. 
Obra  saca  obra. 
Sacar  de  entre  las  manos. 

Sacar  el  alma  de  pecado  á  alguno. 


To  be  at  a  loss  how  to  act. 

To  be  quite  undecided,  all  at  sea. 

To  taste  of  pitch. 

Not  to  know  what  one  is  about. 

He  does  not  know  his  duty. 

To  be  crafty  and  cunning. 

To  know  everything  (ironical). 

The  ass   knows  well  in  whose  face 

he  brays. 
The   wise    man   knows    that    lie    is 

ignorant ;     the    ignoramus    thinks 

himself  wise. 
To  know  one's  weak  side. 
To  make  a  cat's-paw  of  any  one. 


To  grieve  another  person. 

Too   demonstrative   an   affection  is 

undesirable. 
To  unhinge,  overturn,  pen^ert. 
To  elucidate. 
To  publish. 

To  bring  to  light ;  to  make  known. 
To  expose  ;  to  make  public. 

To  proclaim  a  person's  faults. 

You  are  beside  yourself  with  passion. 

To  quarrel  bitterly. 

To  be  haughty,  elated. 

To  astound  ;  to  confound  ;  to  stun. 

To  harass,  vex,  tease,  annoy. 

To  turn  out  unfavorably. 

To  outwit ;  to  conquer  by  stratagem 
or  address. 

John  is  suspicious,  but  Peter  is 
more  so. 

One  work  leads  to  another. 

To  take  from  a  person  what  he  be- 
lieved secure. 

To  make  a  person  say  what  he  would 
rather  not. 


SPANIS//  lüIOMS. 


197 


Sacar  la  lengua  á  ¡)asear. 

Sacarle  un  secreto  á  alguno. 
Sacar  el  buche  á  alguno. 

Sacar  de  su  paso  á  alguno. 
Sacar  á  uno  de  su  paso. 

Sacar  ó  chupar  los  tuétanos  á  alguno. 

Sacar  la  lengua  á  alguno. 

Las   viruelas   empiezan   á   sacar    la 

cabeza. 
Sacar  mentiroso  á  otro. 
Sacar  de  madre. 
Sacar  la  espada. 
Sacar  el  pecho. 
Sacar  la  espada  por  alguno. 

Sacar  á  uno  de  los  garras  de  otro. 

Sacar  del  polvo  á  alguno. 

Sacar  la  cara  por  otro. 
Sacar  á  hombro  á  alguno. 

Sacar  el  alma  ;  el  corazón  ;  los  tuéta- 
nos ;  las  tripas  ;  ó  las  entrañas  á 
alguno. 

Sacar  á  paz,  y  á  salvo. 

Sacar  tajada. 

Sacar  astilla. 

Sacar  al  campo. 

Sacar  á  la  vergüenza. 

Sacar  apodos. 

Camisa  y  toca  negra  no  sacan  al 
ánima  de  pena. 

Costumbres  de  mal  maestro,  sacan 
hijo  siniestro. 

Sacar  á  bailar,  ó  á  danzar,  á  una 
señora. 


To  insist  on  a  person's  saying  what 

we  dislike  to  hear. 
To  worm  a  secret  out  of  any  one. 
To  pump  a  person  \  to  draw  out  his 

secrets. 
To  make  a  person  act  unnaturally. 
To  induce  a  person  to  diverge  from 

his  usual  habits. 
To  cheat  a   person  by  playing  upon 

his  fears  or  impulses. 
To  ridicule  any  one. 
Small- pox  begins  to  appear. 

To  prove  a  person  a  liar. 

To  make  one  lose  patience. 

To  draw  the  sword  in  a  cause. 

To  stand  up  in  defence  of  any  one. 

To  uphold  the  character  or  opinions 
of  any  one. 

To  rescue  a  person  from  the  grasp 
of  another. 

To  raise  a  person  to  a  higher  posi- 
tion. 

To  sustain  or  defend  another. 

To  undertake  the  care  of  another ; 
to  save  from  danger. 

To  extort  money  from,  or  to  injure 
another. 

To  place  one  in  peace  and  safety. 
To  obtain  something  good. 
To  profit  by  a  thing. 
To  challenge  ;  to  call  out. 
To  put  one  to  shame  in  the  pillory. 
To  call  nicknames. 
Excessive  mourning  gives  no  com- 
fort to  the  soul  of  the  departed. 
A  bad  teacher  is  the  ruin  of  a  pupil. 

To  invite  a  lady  to  dance. 


193 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Sacar  á  bailar. 

La   gallina   saca   los  huevos,   ó  los 

pollos. 
Sacar  la  polla. 

¡  Sacará  polvo  debajo'  del  agua  ! 
Sacar  los  pies  al  niño. 
Sacar  al  niño  de  la  escuela. 
Sacar  la  niña  de  la  labor. 
Sacar  provecho. 
Sacar  un  fuego  con  otro  fuego. 

Sacar  un  clavo  con  otro  clavo. 

Adó  sacan  y  no  pon,  presto  llegan  al 

hondón. 
Sacar  agua. 
Sacar  agua  de  las  piedras. 

Á   la    primera   azadonada   ¿quieres 
sacar  agua  ? 


Á  tres  azadonadas  sacar  agua. 

No  lo  sacará  de  tres  tirones. 

Sacar  pajas  ;  ó  sacar  pajas  de  una 

albarda. 
Arador  de  palma,  no  le  saca  toda 

barba. . 
Sacar  fuerzas  de  flaqueza. 
Sacar  los  pies  de  las  alforjas. 
Sacar   bien  el   caballo,    ó   sacar  el 

caballo  limpio. 
Sacar  fruto. 

Sacar  la  capa,  ó  su  capa. 
Sacar  en  limpio. 

Sacar  el  vientre  de  mal  año. 
Sacar  pelotas  de  una  alcuza. 


To   drag  a  person  or  thing  into  a 

conversation. 
The  hen  hatches  the   eggs,  or  the 

chickens. 
To  draw  a  prize. 
He'll  set  the  river  on  fire  ! 
To  put  a  child  into  short  clothes. 
To  take  a  child  from  school. 
To  take  a  child  from  her  needle. 
To  turn  to  account ;  to  derive  benefit. 
To  fight  fire  with  flame  ;  to  turn  the 

tables  ;  like  cures  like. 
To  cure  one  excess  by  another ;  to 

drive  out  one  nail  by  another. 
Always  taking  out  and  never  putting 

in  soon  empties  the  purse. 
To  draw  water. 
To  derive  good  from  what  ii  most 

unpromising. 
Do  you  expect  to  find  water  at  the 

first  blow  of  the  pickaxe  ?  to  ac- 
complish  a  difficult  task  without 

effort  ? 
To  obtain  easily  the  object  of  one's 

wishes. 
He  will  not  obtain  it  easily. 
To  draw  straws  from  a  pack-saddle  ; 

to  do  easy  things. 
Difficult  things  cannot  be  done  by 

everybody. 
To  make  a  virtue  of  necessity. 
To  get  over  one's  shyness. 
To  bring  the  horse  safely  from  the 

battle,  or  the  bull-fight. 
To  reap  the  fruit  of  one's  labor ;  to 

get  a  good  result. 
To  deny  a  charge  successfully. 
To  clear  up  doubts ;  to  come  to  a 

conclusion  ;  to  transcribe. 
To  satisfy  hunger. 
To  be  very  clever,  or  ingenious. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


199 


Sacar  grano  de  una  cosa. 

No    se    saca    arador    con    pala   de 

azadón. 
Sacar  la  cabeza. 

Sacar  de  su  cabeza  alguna  cosa. 
Sacar  la  conversación. 

Sacar  una  letra. 

Sacar  por  el  rostro. 

Sacar  por  la  pinta. 

Sacar  á  pública  subasta. 

Sacar  una  estatua. 

Sacar  versos. 

Sacar  la  cara. 

Sacar  con  los  pies  adelante  á  alguno. 

Sacar  alcalde. 
Sacar  los  recados. 
Sacar  de  borrador. 

Sacar  una  muela. 

Sacar  aparte. 

Sacar  á  volar  á  alguno. 

Por  el  hilo  se  saca  el  ovillo. 

Sacar  la  novia  por  el  vicario. 

Sacar  las  uñas. 

Sacar  por  la  uña  al  león. 

Sacar  aceite  de  almendras. 

Los  pedantes  sacan  todo  cuanto 
saben. 

Saca  sillas,  y  mete  muertos. 

Hemos  sacado  buen  tiempo. 

Sacar  de  pila. 

Sacar  los  colores  al  rostro,  ó  á  la  cara. 

Sacar  la  espina. 

No  saques  espinas  donde  no  hay  es- 
pigas. 


To  derive  benefit  from  a  thing. 
Proper  means  are  needful  to  success. 

To  show  one's  self. 

To  invent  something. 

To  suggest  a  subject  in  such  a  way 
as  to  provoke  discussion. 

To  draw  a  bill  of  exchange. 

To  know  a  person  by  his  resemblance. 

To  identify  a  person  by  some  mark. 

To  sell  at  auction. 

To  make  a  statue. 

To  make  verses. 

To  present  one's  self  by  proxy. 

To  carry  one  out  feet  foremost ;  to 
bury  him. 

To  elect  a  magistrate. 

To  take  out  a  marriage  license. 

To  dress  a  person  neatly  and  de- 
cently. 

To  extract  a  tooth. 

To  call  aside. 

To  bring  one  forward  in  public. 

From  seeing  the  beginning  one  may 
conjecture  the  end. 

To  remove  a  bride,  legally,  from  pa- 
rental authority. 

To  avail  one's  self  of  every  means  in 
an  emergency. 

To  infer  something  from  slight  prem- 
ises. 

To  make  almond  oil. 

Pedants  tell  all  they  know. 

He  is  an  understrapper. 

We  have  started  with  fine  weather. 

To  become  sponsor  at  baptism. 

To  make  a  person  blush. 

To  eradicate  an  evil. 

Do  not  work  to  no  purpose. 


200 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Sacar  bien  su  capa,  ó  su  caballo. 

Sacar  de  la  puja  á  alguno. 

Sacar  á  uno  de  trabajos,  ó  de  una 

dificultad. 
Sacar  de  pañales. 
Sacar  el  pié  del  lodo  á  alguno. 
Sacar  raja. 

Sacar  el  bajel  á  tierra. 
Sacudir  el  polvo. 

Sacudir  el  polvo  de  los  pies,  ó  za- 

p¿itos. 
Sacudir  el  balandrán. 
Sacudir  el  jugo. 
Sacudir  13,5  moscas. 
Salir  por  alguno  ;  ó  salir  fiador. 

Salir  de  capa  de  raja. 

Me  salió  una  buena  colocación. 
Este  negocio  me  ha  salido  bien. 

Ya  he  salido  de  todos  mis  granos. 
Saldrá  buen  matemático. 

Salir  una  cosa  taz  con  taz. 
Salir  con  algo. 
Le  salió  con  su  pretensión. 
Salirse  con  la  suya. 

Salir  con  una  empresa. 
Salir  de  una  empresa. 
Todo  saldrá  en  la  colada. 

Salir  á  salvo. 

Salir  á  la  mar. 

Salir  á  volar. 

Salir  á  la  causa,  ó  á  la  demanda. 

Á  las  burlas  asi  ve  á  ellas  que  no  te 

salgan  á  veras. 
Salir  tres  pies  á  la  francesa. 


To  extricate  one's  self  fi-om  difficulty. 
To  extricate  another  from  a  difficulty. 
To  help  another  out  of  troubles,  or 

difficulties. 
To  relieve  distress. 
To  rescue  one  from  misery. 
To  obtain  part  of  what  one  demands. 
To  haul  a  vessel  ashore  (nau.). 
To  whip  severely ;    to  beat  out  the 

dust  with  a  stick. 
To  shake  the  dust    from    off  one's 

feet,  in  disgust. 
To  beat  a  person  with  a  stick. 
To  shake  off  the  yoke. 
To  shake  off  an  encumbrance. 
To  go  bail  for  any  one  ;    to  stand 

security. 
To   cast  off  old  clothes  ;    to  better 

one's  fortune. 
A  good  situation  turned  up  for  me. 
This  affair  has  turned  out  well  for 

me. 
I  have  disposed  of  all  my  grain. 
He  will  turn  out  a  good  mathemati- 
cian. 
To  be  brimful,  complete. 
To  obtain  an)'thing. 
He  obtained  what  he  desired. 
To  accomplish  one's  end  ;  to  have 

one's  own  way. 
To  carry  out  an  enterprise. 
To  relinquish  an  enterprise. 
The  whole  affair  will  be  brought  to 

light. 
To  end  well. 
To  put  to  sea. 

To  make  public  ;  to  expose. 
To  defend  one  side  of  a  question. 
Jest  in  such  a  manner  that  it  may 

not  turn  to  earnest. 
At  once  ;  immediately. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


201 


Salir  de  su  padre. 

Salir  á  su  padre. 

Pronto  saldré  de  hijo  de  familia. 
Salir  de  mantillas. 

Sol  de  invierno  sale  tarde,  y  se  pone 
presto. 

Salir  de  sí. 

Salir  á  uno  alguna  cosa  del  corazón. 

El  sol  sale. 

Al  salir  del  sol. 

No  salir  del  suelo. 

El  bien  y  el  mal  á  la  cara  salen. 

Salga  pez,  ó  salga  rana,  á  la  capacha. 

Salir  el  verano. 

Del  monte  sale  con  que  se  arde. 

Del    monte    sale    quien    el    monte 
quema. 

Donde  humo  sale  fuego  se  hace. 

Salir  al  cabo  ;  ó  salir  con  .  .  . 

SaUrse  de  una  religión. 

Salga  lo  que  saliere. 

El  caballo  me  salió  en  sesenta  pesos. 

Salir  á  una  cara. 

Salir  á  la  orilla. 

Salir  del  vado. 

El  mal  que  de  tu  boca  sale,  en  tu 

seno  se  cae. 
Salir  á  gatas. 
Salir  de  la  dificultad. 

Salir  á  nado. 

Salir  limpio  de  polvo  y  paja. 


To  be  released  from  paternal  guar- 
dianship. 

To  resemble  one's  ñither, 

I  shall  soon  be  of  age. 

To  get  beyond  leading-strings. 

The  winter's  sun  rises  late  and  sets 
early ;  good  things  come  late  and 
go  soon. 

To  be  enraptured. 

To  say  a  thing  sincerely. 

The  sun  rises. 

At  sunrise. 

To  be  very  small. 

Good  or  ill  health  is  shown  in  the 
face. 

Be  it  a  fish  or  be  it  a  frog,  into  his 
pouch  it  goes. 

The  summer  ends. 

One  always  causes  his  own  misfor- 
tunes. 

The  injuries  from  which  we  suffer 
sometimes  come  from  those  very 
near  us. 

Where  there  is  smoke  there  must 
be  fire. 

To  go  through. 

To  quit  a  religious  order. 

Happen  what  may. 

The  horse  stood  me  in  sixty  dollars. 

To  show  something  in  one's  face. 

To  overcome  difficulties. 

To  get  out  of  a  difficulty. 

The  evil  which  escapes  from  thy 
lips  falls  into  thine  own  bosom. 

To  have  a  narrow  escape. 

To  extricate  one's  self  from  a  diffi- 
culty. 

To  save  one's  self  by  swimming  ;  to 
do  something  very  difficult. 

To  come  out  of  danger,  safe  and 
sound. 


202 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Salir  de  un  cenagal. 

Salir  de  alguno. 

Sale  una  nueva  moda. 

Sale  la  mancha. 

Esta  calle  sale  á  la  plaza. 

Salir  á  luz. 

Salir  de  tino. 

Salir  de  compás. 

Salir  calabazas. 

Salir  alguno  calabaza. 

Me  ha  salido  mal  esta  marinería. 

Salime  al  sol,  dije  mal  y  oí  peor. 

Salir  al  encuentro. 

Salen  caros -en  Madrid  los  géneros 

ingleses. 
Salir  los  colores  al  rostro. 
Lo  mejor  sale  mas  barato  ;  ó  lo  barato 

sale  caro. 
Salió  á  colado. 
Ese  barril  se  sale. 
Salir  con  su  media  espada. 
Salir  al  atajo. 

Salir  de  uno,  alguna  cosa. 

La  tentativa  salió  mal. 

Salir  por  el  albañal,  ó  arbollón. 

Salió  de  la  regla. 

Salir  por  la  ventana. 

Salir  de  algún  oficio. 

Salir  de  esta  vida,  de  este  mundo. 

Salir  de  barrera. 

Salir  al  camino  ;  ó  salir  al  encuentro. 
Salir  á  la  causa,  ó  á  la  demanda. 


To  get  rid  of  an  unpleasant  atlair. 

To  get  rid  of  a  person. 

A  new  fashion  appears. 

The  spot  disappears. 

This  street  opens  on  the  square. 

To  be  produced ;  to  be  published. 

To  be  out  of  one's  senses. 

To  fail  in  one's  duty ;  to  act  errat- 
ically. 

To  be  plucked  ;  to  fail  in  an  exam- 
ination. 

To  disappcñnt  the  expectations 
formed  of  one. 

That  speculation  has  turned  out  un- 
fortunately. 

Gossip  is  poor  speaking  and  worse 
hearing. 

To  go  to  meet  a  person ;  to  oppose 
a  person's  opinions. 

English  goods  are  dear  in  Madrid. 

To  blush. 

The  best  is  the  cheapest  in  the  end. 

It  was  divulged,  found,  discovered. 

This  barrel  leaks. 

To  interrupt  a  conversation  foolishly. 

To  interrupt  one  who  is  speaking ; 
to  meet  with  a  counter-argument. 

To  suggest  something. 

The  attempt  failed. 

To  fail  in  an  enterprise. 

He  broke  the  rule. 

To  be  turned  out ;  to  violate  a  con- 
tract. 

To  leave  a  position. 

To  die. 

To  expose  one's  self  to  public 
censure. 

To  meet  or  assault  a  person. 

To  be  a  party  to  a  lawsuit. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


203 


Salir  con  pleito. 

El  salir  de  la  posada  es  la  mayor 

jornada. 
Salir  por  la  puerta  de  los  perros. 

Salir  con  un  domingo  siete. 
Salir  á  campo. 
Salir  herido. 

Salir  á  campaña. 
Salir  de  guardia. 
Salir  con  banderas  desplegadas. 

Salir  de  militar. 
Salir  de  sus  casillas. 

Salir  atestando. 

Salir  de  las  llamas,  y  caer  en  las 
brasas. 

Saltar  de  la  sartén,  y  dar  en  las 
brasas. 

Salir  de  lagunas  y  entrar  en  mojadas. 

Salir  de  lodazales,  y  entrar  en  cena- 
gales ;  ó  salir  de  lodo,  y  caer  en 
el  arroyo. 

¡  Desdichado  balandrán,  nunca  sales 
de  empeñado  ! 

Saltarse  la  tapa  de  los  sesos. 

Saltar  las  lágrimas. 

Andar  á  la  que  salta. 

Saltar  de  la  mata. 

Saltó  el  pájaro  del  nido. 

Saltar  de  gozo. 

Por  do  salta  la  cabra,  salta  la  que  la 

mama. 
Salta  tú,  y  dámela  tú. 
El  viento  saltó  al  este. 
Saltar  en  tierra. 
¡  Salte  gente  á  la  banda  ! 


To  win  a  lawsuit. 

Well  begun  is  half  done. 

To  fly  precipitately  for  fear  of  pun- 
ishment. 

To  do  something  utterly  irrational. 

To  go  out  to  fight  a  duel. 

To  come  out  (from  a  conflict) 
wounded. 

To  go  to  the  war. 

To  come  off  guard. 

To  go  off  with  flying  colors  (said  of 
troops  who  capitulate  with  honor). 

To  personate  a  soldier. 

To  act  inconsistendy  with  one's 
habits. 

To  go  away  in  a  passion. 

Out  of  the  frying-pan  into  the  fire. 

To    jump    out    of    the    frying-pan 

into  the  fire. 
Out  of  the  mire  and  into  the  mud. 
Out  of  a  small  trouble  into  a  great 

one  ;  or,  out  of  the  mire  and  into 

the  brook. 
Unfortunate    coat  !     never    out    of 

pawn  !     Constant  debt. 
To  blow  out  one's  brains. 
To  burst  into  tears. 
To  give  one's  self  up  to  a  vagabond 

life. 
To  make  one's  self  known  (said  of 

one  who  was  concealed). 
The  bird  has  flown. 
To  be  in  high  spirits,  very  merry. 
Like  parents,  like  children. 

A  juvenile  play  of  thread-the-needle. 
The  wind  shifted  to  the  east. 
To  land  ;  to  disembark. 
Man  the  ship's  side  I   (nau.). 


204 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Saludar  á  la  voz. 

Á  la  mujer  barbuda,  de  lejos  se  la 
saluda. 

Salvarse  en  una  tabla. 

Con  lo  que  Sancho  sana,  Domingo 
adolece. 

Sanan  cuchilladas  y  no  malas  pala- 
bras. 

Con  lo  que  sana  el  hígado,  enferma 
la  bolsa. 

Sangrar  á  uno  de  la  vena  del  arca. 

Me  sangró  bien  la  bolsa. 

Seguir  el  hopo. 

Seguirle  los  pasos  á  uno. 

Al  que  mal  vive,  el  miedo  le  sigue. 

Seguir  á  alguno  hasta  la  mata. 

Seguir  la  bandera  de  alguno. 

Seguir  el  hilo. 

Seguir  las  letras. 

Seguir  el  pendón  de  alguno. 

Sellar  los  labios. 

Quien    siembra    abrojos,    no    ande 

descalzo. 
Quien  abrojos  siembra,  espinas  coge. 
Como  siembres,  segarás. 
Sembrar  en  arena. 
Cuando  siembres,  siembra  trigo,  que 

chícharos  hacen  ruido. 
Sembrar  ó  meter  zizaña. 
Sembrar  de  sal. 

Quien  bien  siembra,  bien  coge. 

Sembrar  en  mala  tierra. 

Poda  tardío  y  siembra  temprano  ;  si 

errares  un  año,  acertarás  cuatro. 
Como  sembráredes,  cogéredes. 
Quien  vientos  siembra,  tempestades 

coge. 


To  cheer  ;  to  huzza. 

Avoid  the  society  of  a  bearded 
woman. 

To  have  a  very  narrow  escape. 

^\'hat  is  one  man's  meat  is  another 
man's  poison. 

The  wounded  body  heals  more  read- 
ily than  the  wounded  reputation. 

Important  things  are  not  lightly  ob- 
tained. 

To  drain  one  of  his  money. 

He  drained  my  purse  well. 

To  dog  ;  to  pursue  closely. 

To  follow  or  watch  a  person. 

He  who  sins  is  haunted  by  fear. 

To  persecute  another  bitterly. 

To  follow  another's  lead  or  opinion. 

To  continue  what  one  was  doing  or 
saying. 

To  devote  one's  self  to  literature  or 
science. 

To  enlist  in  the  army  (mil.). 

To  silence. 

He  who  sows  brambles  must  not  go 
barefoot. 

He  who  sows  brambles  reaps  thorns. 

As  you  sow,  so  shall  you  reap. 

To  labor  in  vain. 

Spend  and  labor  only  on  useful 
things  ;  judiciously. 

To  sow  discord. 

To  sow  the  land  with  salt  (a  pun- 
ishment for  traitors). 

He  who  takes  proper  means,  will 
attain  his  end. 

To  be  kind  to  ungrateful  people. 

Sow  your  seed  early,  and  prune  your 
trees  late  in  the  season. 

As  you  sow,  so  shall  you  reap. 

He  who  sows  the  wind  reaps  the 
whirlwind. 


^PAAISn  IDIOMS. 


205 


Sentarse  la  obra. 
Sentar  el  real. 
Sentar  los  reales. 

Sentarse  a  mesa  puesta. 

Sentaos  majagranzas,  que  adonde 
quiera  ([ue  yo  me  siente  será  vu- 
estra cabecera. 

Sentarse  la  carga. 

Nos  sentamos  á  la  sombra,  y  estuvi- 
mos allí  tan  ricamente. 
Sentar  plaza  ;  ó  asentar  plaza. 
Sentarse  en  la  conclusión. 
Sentar  bien  la  comida. 
Se  sintió  nuestro  palo  mayor. 
Sentir  a  par  de  muerte  una  cosa. 
Sin  sentirlo  la  tierra. 
Sentir  de  muerte,  ó  á  par  de  muerte. 
Sentir  nacer  la  yerba. 

Esta  casaca  no  me  sienta  bien. 

Ese  color  sienta  bien  á  su  complex- 
ión. 

No  le  sentó  bien  la  conversación. 

Señalar  los  motivos  de  ...  ó  expli- 
carse. 

Señalar  con  piedra  blanca. 

Señalar  á  alguno  con  el  dedo. 

¡  Dios  es  grande  ! 

¡  Cristo  sea  el  masinero  ! 

¡  Dios  es  Dios  que  esto  sucederá  ! 

i  Como  Dios  es  senado,  ó  si  Dios  es 
servido,  ó  siendo  Dios  servido  ! 

¡  Donde  Dios  es  servido  ! 

La  verdad  es  hija  de  Dios. 

Es  una  bendición ;  ó  es  bendición 
de  Dios. 


To  settle  (said  of  a  building). 

To  settle  ;  to  form  an  establishment. 

To  establish  a  camp  ;  to  pitch  the 
king's  tent. 

To  live  at  other  people's  expense. 

Sit  thee  down,  clodpole  ;  for  in  what- 
ever place  I  am  seated,  that  is  the 
upper  end  to  thee. 

The  load  chafes  (said  of  a  beast  of 
burden). 

We  seated  ourselves  in  the  shade, 
and  were  so  comfortable. 

To  enhst  as  a  soldier. 

To  be  bigoted. 

To  assimilate  the  food  well. 

Our  mainmast  sprung  (nau.). 

To  be  extremely  sorry  for  a  thing. 

With  silence  and  caution. 

To  regret  very  much. 

To  be  vivacious,  sprightly,  keen, 
clever. 

This  coat  does  not  fit  me  well. 

This  color  is  becoming  to  her  com- 
plexion. 

This  conversation  did  not  please  him. 

To  account  for. 

To  mark  a  happy  day  with  a  white 
stone. 

To  point  out  a  person  as  blame- 
worthy. 

God  help  us  !  God  be  merciful  to  us  ! 

God  help  me  ! 

As  surely  as  there  is  a  God,  this  will 
be  so  ! 

God  willing  ! 

God  knows  where  ! 
Truth  is  the  child  of  God. 
It  is  God's  blessing    (gratitude  for 
abundance). 


206 


SPAAVSH  IDIOMS. 


Ser  padrino  de  un  niño,  tenerlo  en 

la  pila. 
Ser  de  corona. 
¡  Fuera  de  Dios  ! 
¡  El  diablo  sea  sordo  ! 

Ese  es  el  diablo. 

No  sea  el  diablo  que  .  .  . 

No  ser  muy  diablo,  ó  gran  diablo. 

Diablos  son  bolos. 

Ahí  será  el  diablo. 

Ser  la  piel  de  diablo. 
Ser  el  demonio. 

Ser  de  rigor. 

Ser  de  esencia. 

Es  la  quinta  essencia  de  alguna  cosa. 

Las  malas  nuevas  siempre  son  ciertas. 

Hijos  y  pollos,  muchos  son  pocos. 

La  experiencia  es  madre  de  la  ciencia. 
Ser  mas  conocido  que  la  ruda. 

Lo  mejor  de  los  dados  es  no  jugar- 
los. 

Viejo  es  Pedro  para  cabrero. 

Es  una  buena  espada. 

Es  buena  púa. 

Ciertos  son  los  toros. 

Ama  sois,  ama,  mientras  el  niño 
mama  ;  desde  que  no  mama,  ni 
ama,  ni  nada. 

Alegraos  antruejo  que  mañana  será 
ceniza. 

Cual  mas,  cual  menos,  toda  la  lana 
es  pelos. 

Es  remiendo  de  otro  paño. 

¿  Que  es  del  libro  ? 

Ser  en  salvo  á  una  cosa. 


To  stand  godfather  to  a  child. 

To  be  a  priest. 

God  forbid  ! 

May  the  devil  be  deaf!  (deprecation 
of  ill  words  or  ill  luck). 

That  is  the  difficulty. 

Lest  ...  for  fear  that  .  .  . 

Not  to  be  very  bright  or  capable. 

Earthly  things  are  unstable. 

Now  is  the  time,  or  point,  of  great- 
est danger. 

To  be  a  limb  of  the  devil. 

To  be  a  demon,  or  a  very  keen  per- 
son. 

To  be  indispensable. 

To  be  essential. 

It  is  the  quintessence  of  a  thing. 

Ill  news  is  sure  to  be  true. 

Of  children  and  chickens,  many  die 
before  maturity. 

Experience  is  the  mother  of  science. 

To  be  an  extremely  well-known  per- 
son. 

The  best  thing  to  do  with  dice  is  to 
let  them  alone. 

Old  people  should  live  quietly. 

He  is  a  dexterous  swordsman. 

He  is  a  keen  blade. 

So  then,  it  is  true. 

People  cling  to  those  whom  they 
need. 

Human  enjoyments  are  not  lasting. 

There  is   little    to   choose   between 

them. 
It  is  a  very  different  thing. 
Where  is  the  book? 
To  be  able  to  do  a  thing  safely. 


SPAN/S//  IDIOMS. 


207 


Cual  es  la  campana,  tal  es  la  bada- 
jada. 

Cuando  fueres  por  camino,  no  digas 
mal  de  tu  enemigo. 

El  melón  y  casamiento  ha  de  ser 
acertamiento. 

Son  las  seis  en  punto. 

Media  vida  es  la  candela,  pan  y  vino 
la  otra  media. 

Pon  lo  tuyo  en  el  consejo,  y  unos 
dirán  que  es  blanco  ;  y  otros  que 
es  negro. 

No  es  moco  de  pavo. 

El  que  es  enemigo  de  la  novia,  no 

dice  bien  de  la  boda ;  ó  ¿  como 

dirá  bien  de  la  boda? 
¡  Buena  ganga  e:,  esa  ! 
No  ser  sin  misterio. 
Es  una  cosa  de  tabla. 
Este  mundo  es  golfo  redondo  ;  quien 

no  sabe  nadar,  se  va  al  hondo. 
Todo  el  mundo  es  uno  ;  ó  todo  el 

mundo  es  pais. 
¿  Como  es  la  gracia  de  V.  ? 
Nadie  es  profeta  en  su  pais. 

El  consejo  de  la  mujer  es  poco,  y  el 

que  no  le  toma  es  loco. 
Es  una  Babilonia. 

Si  no  es  en  esta  barqueta,  será  en  la 

que  se  fleta. 
Ser  de  la  oposición. 

Ese  hombre  es  un  verdadero  vocab- 
ulario parlante,  y  ambulante. 

Este  cuarto  es  un  zambuco. 

A  la  vaca  hasta  la  cola  le  es  abri- 
gada ;  ó  la  vaca  hasta  de  la  cola 
hace  cama. 


l'he  fame  of  a  deed  depends  on 
him  who  performs  it. 

Never  speak  ill  of  others  in  public 
places. 

Marriage  and  melons  are  matters  of 
luck. 

It  is  exactly  six  o'clock. 

With  good  food  and  fire  the  dis- 
comforts of  winter  can  be  borne. 

Opinions  differ,  often  diametrically. 


It  is  not  a  trifle  ;  not  so  easy  as  you 
may  think. 

We  must  ask  advice  from  disinter- 
ested persons. 

To  bring  a  cannon  to  shoot  a  snipe  ! 
Not  to  be  without  a  meaning. 
It  is  a  matter  of  course. 
Be  prudent ;  this  world  is  an  abyss, 
and  those  who  cannot  swim,  sink. 
Faults  may  be  found  everywhere. 

Pray  what  is  your  name  ? 

No  one  is  a  prophet  in  his  own 
country. 

A  woman's  counsel  is  not  much,  but 
he  who  despises  it  is  a  fool. 

There  is  a  crowd,  an  uproar,  a  con- 
fusion. 

If  not  to-day,  it  will  be  to-morrow. 

To   belong   to  the  minority,  to  the 

opposing  party. 
This  man  is  absolutely  a   speaking 

and  walking  dictionary. 
This  room  is  very  narrow. 
He  who  has  eaten  well  sleeps  well. 


29S 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


No  es  ni  su  sombra. 

S^r  mas  viejo  que  la  sarna  ;  ó  que  el 
repelón  ;  ó  que  préstame  un  cuarto. 
Vieja  fué,  y  no  se  coció. 
Es  un  trasunto  de  su  padre. 
Cada  uno  es  hijo  de  sus  obras. 

Todos  somos  hijos  de  Adán. 

Quien  ruin  es  en  su  villa,  ruin  es  en 
Sevilla. 

La  privación  es  causa  del  apetito. 

Ser  alguno  juguete  de  la  fortuna  ;  ó 
jugar  la  fortuna  con  alguno. 

Aceituna  una,  y  si  es  buena,  una 
docena. 

Ser  su  dia,  ó  ser  el  dia  de  alguno. 

No  es  niño. 

Lo  que  no  fué  en  mi  año,  no  fué  en 
mi  daño. 

No  es  mancha  de  judio. 

Ser  una  cosa  de  consecuencia. 

Es  muy  extraño. 

Eso  no  es  de  la  incumbencia  de  V. 

Fraile  que  fué  soldado,  sale  mas  acer- 
tado. 

Esas  son  habas  contadas. 
No  ser  cojo  ni  manco. 

Lo  que  fué  y  no  es,  es  como  si  no 

hubiera  sido. 
Ser  de  mesa  traviesa. 

Acjui  fué  Troya. 

Soy  de  Costa  Rica. 

Soy  con  V. 

Lo  que  es  bueno  para  el  hígado,  es 

malo  para  el  bazo. 
Es  un  hombre  seco. 


To  be  but  the  shadow  of  one's  for- 
mer self. 
To  be  very  old,  older  than  the  hills. 

To  offer  insufficient  excuse. 

He  is  the  picture  of  his  father. 

A  man's  character  is  of  more  impor- 
tance than  his  parentage. 

We  are  all  the  children  of  Adam. 

What  is  bred  in  the  bone  will  conie 
out  in  the  flesh. 

Privation  promotes  desire. 

To  be  the  sport  of  fortune. 

Olives  should  be  eaten  sparingly. 

The  time  when  one  becomes  famous. 

He  is  no  longer  a  child. 

What  can't  be  cured  must  be  en- 
dured. 

It  is  but  a  trifle. 

To  be  important. 

It  is  very  odd  or  strange. 

That  is  none  of  your  business. 

He  who  has  been  disappointed  in 
the  world  succeeds  best  in  the 
convent. 

Things  clear  and  manifest. 

To  have  all  that  is  requisite  for 
doing  a  thing. 

That  which  was,  but  is  not,  is  as  if 
it  had  never  been. 

To  be  an  old  member  of  a  corps,  or 
.^^ciety. 

Fuit  Troja  (said  of  a  place  of  which 
no  vestige  remains). 

I  am  a  native  of  Costa  Rica. 

I  will  attend  to  you  presently. 

What  is  one  man's  meat  is  another 
man's  poison. 

He  is  a  man  ot  few  words. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


209 


Tan  buena  os  Juana,  como  su  her- 
mana. 
No  ser  ó  no  tener  arte  ni  i)arte. 


No  es  él,  ni  su  semejanza. 

Donde  fuiste  caballero,  no  seas  escu- 
dero. 

Reñida  fué  la  batalla  cuando  no  es- 
capó nadie. 

Ser  ó  estar  de  buena  hebra. 

Ser  de  alguno. 

No  todas  las  verdades  son  para 
dichas. 

No  son  todos  los  tiempos  unos. 

De  noche  todos  los  gatos  son  pardos. 

La  muerte  es  roida,  y  cuando  llega, 
llamar  á  las  puertas  de  nuestra 
vida,  siempre  va  de  prisa. 

Cada  uno  es  artifice  de  su  ventura. 

Antes  quisiera  ser  el  ídolo  de  un 
viejo,  que  la  esclava  de  un  joven. 

Del  sabio  es  cambiar  de  consejo  ;  ó 
la  tenacidad  es  divisa  del  necio. 

La  necesidad  es  madre  de  la  inven- 
ción. 

Nunca  es  tarde  para  arrepentirse. 

Un  corazón  contento  es  un  festin 
continuado. 

Mas  es  el  ruido  que  las  nueces. 

Necia  es  la  oveja  que  hace  al  lobo 

su  pareja. 
No  es  el  hábito  el  que  hace  al  monje. 

La  miel  de  mi  casa  es  la  mas  dulce. 
Mientras  en  mi  casa  L:,toy,  rey  soy. 
El  que  ha  de  ser  bachiller,  menester 
ha  de  aprender. 


They  are  as  like  as  two  peas. 

To  have  nothing  to  do  with  an 
affair ;  to  have  neither  art  nor 
part  in  it. 

It  is  not  he,  or  anything  like  him. 

Where  you  were  a  gentleman,  do 
not  become  a  page. 

That  is  a  hard  battle  where  none 
escape. 

To  be  strong  and  robust. 

To  belong  to  a  person's  party. 

Truths  should  not  always  be  re- 
vealed. 

All  times  are  not  alike. 

When  the  candles  are  out,  all  cats 
are  grey. 

When  death  knocks  at  the  door,  he 
turns  a  deaf  ear  to  all  excuses. 

Every  man  is  the  maker  of  his  own 

fortunes. 
Rather  an  old  man's  darling  than  a 

young  man's  slave. 
A  wise  man  may  change  his  mind  ; 

a  fool,  never. 
Necessity  is  the  mother  of  invention. 

It  is  never  too  late  to  repent. 

A   contented    mind    is    a    continual 

feast. 
Much    cry    and    little    wool    (more 

noise  than  nuts). 
It  is  a  foolish  sheep  that  makes  a 

confessor  of  the  wolf. 
It  is  not  the  frock  that  makes  the 

friar. 
Each  one  thinks  his  own  the  best. 
A  man's  house  is  his  castle. 
Learn  to  creep  before  you  run. 


210 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


La  costumbre  es  otra  naturaleza. 

Esa  es  harina  de  otro  costal. 

No  soy  costal  ;  ó  no  tengo  boca  de 

costal. 
Ser  mas  conocido  que  la  ruda. 
Ser  arca  cerada. 

Quien    quisiere    ser   mucho   tiempo 

viejo  comiéncelo  hacer  presto. 
Es  una  buena  espada. 
Ser  ó  vivir  de  la  hoja. 

Los  ojos  son  arcaduces  y  lumbreras 

del  alma. 
Es  hermosa  sin  pero. 
Es  un  gran  pincel. 
Es  un  criado  tal  cual. 

Esto  no  es  de  mi  agrado. 

Ser  al  caso. 

Se  porta  como  quien  es. 

Ser  una  cera,  ó  hecho  de  cera. 

Ser  de  bulto. 

Si  es  que  acabo  de  entrar. 

Ser  alguna  cosa  de  quita  y  pon. 

Es  una  araña. 

Es  un  berengenal. 

Ser  una  gotera. 

Ya  es  tiempo  de  tener  juicio. 

Ser  un  juicio. 

La  pluma  es  lengua  del  alma. 

No  es  el  ciego  el  que  debe  juzgar 

de  colores. 
En  tierra  de  ciegos  el  tuerto  es  rey. 

Harto  soy  ciego  si  por  zaranda  no 

veo. 
Cuan  ciego  es  aquel  (jue  no  ve  por 

tela  de  cedazo. 
Ser  muy  de  casa  ;  ó  muy  de  adentro. 
Ser  ó  estar  de  buena  hebra. 


Habit  is  second  nature. 

That  is  quite  a  different  thing. 

I  cannot  tell  all  at  once. 

To  be  extremely  well  known. 

To  be  as  yet  unknown ;  to  be  a 
closed  book. 

Let  him  who  would  live  to  be  old 
begin  living  moderately  in  youth. 

He  is  an  excellent  swordsman. 

To  be  a  swordsman  ;  to  be  a  brag- 
gart. 

The  eyes  are  the  mirrors  of  the 
soul. 

She  is  perfectly  beautiful. 

He  is  a  great  painter. 

He  is  a  servant,  after  a  sort  (tol- 
erably good  ;  so  so). 

That  does  not  please  me. 

To  be  to  the  purpose. 

He  behaves  as  he  should. 

To  be  as  pliable  as  wax. 

To  be  as  clear  as  possible. 

I  have  but  just  come  in. 

To  be  easily  movable. 

He  is  an  industrious  man. 

It  is  a  labyrinth. 

Constant  repetition. 

It  is  time  to  be  prudent. 

To  be  a  multitude,  a  great  quantity. 

The  pen  is  the  tongue  of  the  mind. 

A  blind  man  should  not  judge  of 
colors. 

Among  the  blind  the  one-eyed  man 
is  king. 

I  must  be  blind  indeed  not  to  see 
through  such  clumsy  pretexts. 

He  must  be  blind  indeed  who  can- 
not see  through  a  sieve. 

To  be  very  intimate  in  a  house. 

To  be  strong  and  robust. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


211 


Es  flojo  como  una  vedija  de  lana. 

Pedro  es  un  a\e. 

Es  una  pimienta,  ó  una  chispa. 

Es  una  pólvora. 

Ser  vivo  como  la  i)ólvora. 

Es  un  azogue. 

Ser  un  terrón  de  sal. 

No  sea  que  .  .  . 

Como  quiera  que  sea. 

Sea  lo  tjue  fuere  ;   sea  lo  que  sea,  ó 

como  sea  ;  como  fuere. 
Ya  sea  de  este  modo,  ó  de  otro. 
Erase  que  ;  ó  se  era. 
Desde  que  el  muncio  es  mundo. 
Ya  no  es  lo  que  ha  sido. 
No  ser  de  este  mundo. 

Ahí  será  ello  ;  ó  ahí  fuera  ello. 

Una  vez  que  eso  es  asi. 

Tal  cual  es. 

Lo  que  fuere  sonará. 

Si  yo  fuera  que  V. 

Visto  es  ;  ó  visto  está. 
Eso  es  bien,  ó  mal  visto. 
Todo  es  uno. 
Una  no  es  ninguna. 
Juan  es  quien  es. 
Es  de  mi  plato. 
Es  otro  tanto  oro. 

Tanto  es  lo  demás  como  lo  de  menos. 
No  ser  rana. 

Ser  un  dibujo  ;  ó  ser  una  })intura. 
Ser  cosa  de  miel. 
Ser  una  oveja  ;  ó  una  pavesa. 
Soy  muy  de  V. 
Es  muy  mió. 
Soy  mió. 

No  ser  uno  dueño  de  sí. 
Buenas  son  mangas  después  de  pas- 
cua. 


He  is  as  weak  as  a  rat. 

Peter  is  very  quick. 

He  is  all  life  and  spirits. 

He  is  a  firebrand. 

To  be  as  quick  as  lightning. 

He  is  as  restless  as  quicksilver. 

To  be  very  witty  and  facetious. 

Lest  .  .  . 

However  ;  at  any  rate. 

Be  that  as  it  may. 

Be  it  this  way,  or  that. 

Once  upon  a  time. 

From  the  beginning  of  time. 

It  is  not  now  what  it  has  been. 

To  live  retired  from  the  world  ;   to 

be  very  innocent  and  simple. 
Then  we  shall  see. 
Since  that  is  so. 
Such  as  he,  or  it,  is. 
What  will  be,  will  be. 
Were  I  in  your  place  ;    had  I  your 

means. 
It  is  evident. 

That  is,  or  is  not,  proper. 
It  is  all  one,  the  same. 
To  transgress  once  is  pardonable. 
John  is  just  himself. 
It  is  my  greatest  pleasure. 
So  much  the  better. 
The  middle  course  is  safest. 
To  be  able  and  expert. 
To  be  as  pretty  as  a  picture. 
To  be  soft,  sweet,  delicate. 
To  be  gentle  and  docile. 
I  am  entirely  yours  ;  yours  very  truly. 
He  is  very  friendly  to  me. 
I  am  my  own  master. 
Not  to  be  one's  own  master. 
Better  late  than  never  ;  good  things 

are  always  welcome. 


212 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Si  no  hubiera  sido  por  mi,  le  habrían 

matado. 
Eso  es  de  N. 

Es  hombre  de  brío. 

Es  un  ingenio  divino. 

Es  hombre  de  obligaciones. 

Ser  hombre  de  su  palabra. 

Ser  muy  hombre. 

Ser  poco  hombre. 

Es  un  buen  chico. 

Es  un  lindo  chico. 

Es  muy  trucha. 

No  ser  zurdo. 

Ser  mozo  de  buen  recado. 

Es  un  buen  sugeto. 

Ser  en  grado. 

No  ser  capaz  ó  no  saber  hacer  mal  á 
un  gato. 

Su  conducta  fué  acertada. 

Es  un  hombre  ajustado. 

Ser  hombre  de  categoría. 

¡  Asi  fuera  yo  santo  como  fulano  es 
docto  ! 

Pedro  es  una  araña. 

Es  una  maravilla. 

Es  un  estuche  ;  ó  es  un  estuche  de 
habilidades. 

Sé  padre  de  las  virtudes,  y  padrasto 
de  los  vicios. 

No  es  la  primera  zorra  que  ha  deso- 
llado. 

Ser  algo  que. 

Es  el  mejor  timbre  de  su  escudo. 

La  pobreza  no  es  virtud,  el  sopor- 
tarla con  ánimo,  si. 

La  pobreza  no  es  vileza,  cuando  no 
nace  de  malas  costumbres. 

Es  menester  la  cruz  y  los  ciriales. 


But  for  me  they  would  have  killed 

him. 
That  is  right,  to  a  T  ;  just  as  it  should 

be  ;  a  matter  of  course. 
He  is  a  man  of  mettle,  courage. 
He  is  a  man  of  uncommon  talent. 
He  is  a  man  of  integrity  and  honor. 
To  be  a  man  of  his  word. 
To  be  manly  and  brave. 
To  lack  courage  or  talent ;    to  be 

very  little  of  a  man. 
He  is  a  good  man. 
He  is  a  fine  lad. 
He  is  very  clever. 
To  be  very  clever. 
To  be  a  youth  of  good  conduct. 
He  is  a  good,  or  honest,  fellow. 
To  deserve  approbation. 
A  kindly,  good-natured  person,  who 

would  not  hurt  a  cat. 
He  conducted  himself  with  propriety. 
He  is  a  man  of  strict  morals. 
To  be  a  man  of  mark. 
If  I  were  but  as  saintly  as  he  is  wise  ! 

Peter  is  industrious  and  thrifty. 

He  is  a  prodigy. 

He  is  a  very  clever  fellow. 

Be  a  father  to  virtues  and  a  step- 
father to  vice. 

This  is  not  the  first  fox  that  he  has 
skinned ;  indicating  skill. 

To  have  some  value  or  merit. 

That  is  the  best  gem  in  his  crown. 

Poverty  is  not  a  virtue,  but  to  bear 
it  bravely  is  one. 

Poverty  is  no  disgrace,  if  it  be  not 
the  consequence  of  bad  habits. 

The  cross  and  the  candles  are  neces- 
sary ;  nothing  of  value  is  gained 
without  effort. 


SPAXISJI  lülOMS. 


213 


Es  una  admiración. 

Ser  con  alguno. 

El  amigo  en  la  adversidad  es  amigo 
en  realidad. 

Ser  de  viva. 

Obras  son  amores  y  no  buenas  razo- 
nes. 

En  tiempo  de  borrasca  todo  puerto 
es  bueno. 

De  hombres  es  errar ;  de  bestias 
perseverar  en  el  error. 

Es  hombre  muy  llegado  á  las  horas 
de  comer. 

Al  cabo  de  cien  años,  todos  seremos 
salvos. 

Es  una  comedia  ;  ó  paso  de  comedia. 

Voluntad  es  vida. 

No  es  mucho  que  á  quien  te  da  la 
gallina  entera,  tu  des  una  pierna 
de  ella. 

Ser  una  cosa  de  punta. 

Lo  mismo  es  á  cuestas  c^ue  al  hom- 
bro. 

Ser  una  cosa  mas,  ó  tan  clara,  como 
el  agua  ;  ó  el  sol. 

Ser  la  nata  de  alguna  cosa. 

Ser  de  buen  ó  mal  contento. 

¡  Despacio,  que  no  soy  escopeta  ! 

Fué  la  negra  al  baño,   y  tuvo  que 

contar  un  año. 
Es  de  buen  comer. 
La    mejor    salsa    del    mundo    es    el 

hambre. 
El  ama  brava  es  llave  de  su  casa. 

Es  menester  que  el  que  ve  la  mota 
en  el  ojo  ajeno,  vea  la  viga  en  el 
suvo. 


It  IS  a  thing  worth  admiration. 
To  agree  with  another  in  opinion. 
A  friend  in  need  is  a  friend  indeed. 

To  give  hopes  of  life. 

Show  your  love   by  deeds,  not  by 

excuses. 
Any  port  is  good  in  a  storm. 

It  is   human  to  err ;    it  is  beneath 

humanity  to  persevere  in  error. 
He  is  a  man  very  ready  to  do  what 

pleases  him. 
In  a  hundred  years  we  shall  be  free 

from  the  miseries  of  life. 
It  is  very  amusing,  laughable. 
There  is  great  satisfaction  in  having 

one's  own  way. 
It  is  not  much  to  bestow  the  leg  of 

a  chicken  upon  one  who  has  given 

us  the  entire  fowl. 
To  be  of  the  best  quality. 
If  a   thing   be  well  done,   it   little 

matters  how. 
To  be  perfectly  clear. 

To  be  the  cream,  or  spice,  of  any- 
thing. 

To  be  easily  pleased  :  or  the  reverse. 

Patience,  I  am  not  a  gun  !  (as 
quickly  as  I  can). 

To  be  full  of  admiration  for  some- 
thing seen  for  the  first  time. 

It  is  agreeable  food. 

The  best  sauce  in  the  world  is 
hunger. 

A  judicious  housekeeper  prevents 
foolish  waste. 

He  that  sees  the  mote  in  another's 
eye  has  need  to  see  the  beam  in 
his  own. 


211 


SPAmSH  IDIOMS. 


El  ;»ié  del  dueño  estiércol  es  para  la 
heredad. 

Arreboles  de  Aragón,  á  la  noche  con 
agua  son  ;  y  arreboles  de  Portugal 
á  la  mañana  sol  serán. 

¿Será  V.  servido  de  hacer  tal  cosa? 

Ser  senido. 

Es  mas  fácil  dar  el  temerario  en  ver- 
dadero valiente  que  el  cobarde. 

Es  mas  fácil  venir  el  pródigo  á  ser 
liberal,  que  el  avaro  venir  á  ser 
prodigo. 

Todavía  es  consuelo  en  las  desgra- 
cias hallar  quien  se  duela  dellás. 

El  sueño  es  alivio  de  las  miserias  de 
los  que  las  tienen  despiertas. 

Un  buen  general  es  el  alma  de  su 
ejército. 

Ser  para  en  uno. 

Ser  muy  del  ara. 

Ser  uña  y  carne. 

Ser  con  guisa. 

No  ser  hombre  de  pelea. 

En  pleito  claro,  no  es  menester 
letrado. 

En  casa  del  gaitero  todos  son  dan- 
zantes. 

En  casa  del  alboguero  todos  son 
albogueros. 

Ser  alguno  hijo  de  la  nada. 

El  corazón  no  es  traidor. 
Ser  el  ojo  derecho  de  alguno. 

Ser  la  lumbre  de  sus  ojos. 
Ser  sus  pies  y  sus  manos. 

Ser  el  apoyo  de  la  vejez. 
Primero  es  la  obligación  que  la  de- 
voción. 
La  cuenta  es  cuenta. 


The  foot  of  the  owner  is  manure  for 
the  land. 

From  Castile  red  skies  toward  Ara- 
gón mean  rain ;  red  skies  toward 
Portugal  fine  weather. 

Will  you  be  pleased  to  do  so-and-so  ? 

To  please  ;  to  deign  ;  to  grant. 

It  is  easier  for  the  rash  than  for  the 
cowardly  to  become  brave. 

It  is  easier  for  the  prodigal  to  be 
liberal  than  for  the  miser. 

There  is  always  consolation  in  sym- 
pathy. 

Sleep  is  the  best  cure  for  waking 
troubles. 

A  good  general  is  the  soul  of  the 
army. 

To  be  well  matched  (in  marriage). 

To  be  a  bosom  friend. 

To  be  close  friends. 

To  be  just  reasonable. 

To  be  a  quiet,  timid  man. 

Evident  justice  needs  no  defenders. 

Where  the  father  pipes,  the  children 
will  dance. 

Where  the  father  leads,  the  house- 
hold must  follow. 

To  raise  one's  self  to  a  higher  posi- 
tion in  society. 

The  heart  is  no  traitor. 

To  be  the  right  eye  (very  important) 
to  another. 

To  be  the  light  of  one's  eyes. 

To  be  one's  chief  support  and  con- 
solation. 

To  be  the  staff  of  one's  old  age. 

Business  before  pleasure. 

Business  is  business. 


S/'.LVJS/y  IDIOMS. 


215 


La  Bols¿i  cs  baróaiciro  del  crédito. 

Ese  es  el  cuento.  — . 

Ser  un  cuento  de  cuentos. 
Ser  mucho  cuento. 
Oro  es  lo  que  oro  vale. 


Mi  pakibra  es  prenda  de  oro. 

El    buen    pagador    es    señor   de    lo 

ajeno. 
Ser  alguna  cosa  oro  en  barras. 

Ser  en  cargo. 

Ser  en  carga. 

Ser  alguna  cosa  de  ciento  en  carga. 

Ser  todo  maias  y  por  rozar. 

No  ser  virtud. 

Ser  dueño  del  baile  ;  ó  ser  el  todo. 

No  ser  dueño  de  alguna  cosa. 

No  ser  hombre  de  pelea. 

La  diligencia  es  madre  de  la  buena 

ventura. 
La  ociosidad  es  madre  de  todos  los 

vicios. 
Ser  de  mala  madera. 
Ser  duro  de  mollera. 
Ser  un  bronce  ;   ó  tener  un  corazón 

de  bronce. 
Ser  de  bronce,  ó  de  hierro. 
Temprano  es  noche. 
Una    cosa    es    prometer,   y   otra    es 

cumplir. 
La  honradez  es  la  mejor  política. 
La  justicia  es  necesasaria  aun  entre 

los  ladrones. 
Un  cuarto   ahorrado   es  un   cuarto 

ganado. 


The  l'lxchange  is  the   barometer  oí 

credit. 
That  is  the  difficulty  ;    there  is  the 

rub. 
To  be  very  complicated  indeed. 
To  be  excessive,  exaggerated. 
Gold  is  worth  what  it  will  buy ;  the 

worth   of  a  thing  is  what   it  will 

bring. 
My  word  is  as  good  as  my  bond. 
The  punctual  paymaster  always  has 

credit. 
To   be   as   good   as    gold    {i.e.,    of 

equally  certain  value). 
To  be  a  debtor. 
To  trouble  ;  to  tire  a  person. 
To  be  of  little  value. 
A  complicated  business. 
Not  to  be  so  good  as  appears. 
To  be  the  princij^al  in  any  affair. 
Not  to  have  liberty  to  dispose  of  a 

thing  as  one  pleases. 
To  be  unsuited  to  the  management 

of  great  enterprises. 
Lidustry  is  the  mother  of  success.. 

Idleness  is  the  root  of  all  evil. 

To  be  lazy. 

To  be  obstinate. 

To  be  hard-hearted  ;  to  be  able  to 
endure  hard  work. 

To  be  indefatigable. 

You  are  very  ready  to  ask. 

It  is  one  thing  to  promise,  and  an- 
other to  perform. 

Honesty  is  the  best  policy. 

Honesty  is  necessary  even  among 
thieves. 

A  penny  saved  is  a  penny  gained. 


216 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


El  tiempo  es  dinero. 

Cuando  el  necio  es  acordado,  el  mer- 
cado es  ya  pasado. 

Ser  capaz  de  sacar  los  dientes  á  un 
ahorcado. 

Ser  hombre  de  buenas  narices. 

Ser   un   Argos,    ó    estar   hecho    un 

Argos. 
Ser  dura,  ó  hacerse  dura  alguna  cosa. 

Es  amigo  de  ganar  la  vida. 

Ser  de  buen  ó  mal  calibre. 

Si  quieres  ser  rico,  calza  de  vaca,  y 
viste  de  fino. 

¿A  como  es  eso? 

¿  A  como  es  el  café  ? 

La  plaza  de  Madrid  es  muy  socor- 
rida. 

Tanto  es  lo  de  mas  como  lo  de 
menos,  ó  tanto  monta. 

Ni  mió  es  el  trigo,  ni  mia  es  la 
cibera,  y  muela  quien  quiera. 

Eso  no  es  de  la  incumbencia  de  V. 

Los  placeres  son  por  onzas,  y  los 

males  por  arrobas. 
Ser  hombre  de  copete. 
En  la  boca  del  discreto,  lo  público 

es  secreto. 
El  pollo  de  Enero,  en  San  Juan  es 

comedero. 
En  año  bueno  el  grano  es  heno  ;  en 

año  malo  la  paja  es  grano. 

Cuando  el  verano  es  invierno,  y  el 
invierno  verano,  nunca  buen  año. 

Mañana  será  otro  dia. 

Ratones  arriba,  que  todo  lo  blanco 
no  es  harina. 


Time  is  money. 

While    fools    hesitate,    opportunity 

passes. 
To  be  capable  of  drawing  the  teeth 

of  a  man  who  was  hanged ;  to  be 

a  skinflint. 
To  be  prudent,  cautious,  provident. 
To  be  very  vigilant. 

To   be    difficult   to    believe,    or   to 

bear. 
He  is  fond  of  gain. 
To  be  of  good  or  bad  quahty. 
If  you   would    become   rich,   wear 

calf-skin  shoes  and  strong  clothes. 
What  is  the  price  of  that  ? 
How  is  coffee  selling? 
The  market  of  Madrid  is  well  sup- 
plied. 
Extremes  are  to  be  avoided,  either 

too  much  or  too  little. 
That  is  not  my  corn  or  my  hopper, 

let  him  grind  who  will ;  none  of 

my  business. 
That  does  not  concern  you ;    it  is 

none  of  your  business. 
Pleasures   may  be  weighed   by  the 

ounce,  and  pains  by  the  quarter. 
To  be  a  man  of  much  respectability. 
The  prudent  man  is  reticent  toward 

the  public. 
January  chickens  are  good  in  June. 

In  a  good  year,  grain  is  used  like 
hay ;  in  a  bad  year,  straw  is  usei 
like  grain. 

When  the  seasons  are  reversed,  the 
year  is  never  a  good  one. 

To-morrow  may  bring  better  luck. 

All  is  not  gold  that  glitters. 


SPAXISn  IDIOMS. 


217 


A  celada  de  bellacos,  mejor  es  el 
hombre  por  los  pies,  que  por  las 
manos. 

No  es  por  el  huevo,  sino  por  el 
fuero. 

Ese  no  es  el  trato. 

Este  contrato  es  de  ningún  valor,  ni 
efecto. 

Buena  queja  es  mejor  que  mala 
paga. 

No  es  mió  sentenciar  estas  discor- 
dias. 

En  esa  frase  estriba  todo  el  ser  de 
la  proposición. 

Ser,  de  la  cuerda  de  otro. 

Esto  está  en  su  ser. 

Ser  todo  jarabe  de  pico. 

Á  ese  paso  el  dia  es  un  soplo. 

Todo  eso  es  paja. 
Ahorcado  sea  tal  barato. 

Si  el  corazón  fuera  de  acero,  no  le 

venciera  el  dinero. 
Quien  en  un  año  quiere  ser  rico,  al 

medio  le  ahorcan. 
Esa  es,  la  madre  del  cordero. 
Yo  me  era  negra,  y  vistiéronme  de 

verde. 
Ser  de  provecho. 
No  hay  tonto  para  su  provecho. 
Ruin  sea  quien  por  ruin  se  tiene. 


No  es  todo  el  sayal  alforjas. 
Los  dedos  de  la  mano  no  son  igua- 
les. 
Quien  sirve  no  es  libre. 
Esta  es  la  pajina  mejor  de  su  historia. 


When  among  rogues,  it  is  better  to 
run  than  to  fiirht. 


It   is   not   for   gain,   but   for  justice 

(said  of  a  lawsuit) . 
That  was  not  in  the  agreement ;  you 

flinch. 
This  contract  is  null  and  void. 

A  good  claim  is  better  than  bad 
pay. 

It  is  not  for  me  to  settle  these  ques- 
tions. 

This  phrase  sums  up  the  whole  pro- 
position. 

To  be  of  another's  opinion. 

This  remains  unalterable. 

To  be  readier  with  words  than  with 
deeds. 

At  this  rate  wealth  soon  flits  (ad- 
dressed to  spendthrifts). 

This  is  all  chaff,  is  worthless. 

Sold  (sacrificed)  at  the  very  lowest 
price. 

It  is  difficult  to  resist  pecuniary 
temptation. 

He  who  makes  undue  haste  to  be 
rich  soon  comes  to  grief. 

He  offers  false  excuses. 

False  excuses  make  matters  worse. 

To  be  useful  or  profitable. 
Nobody  is  a  fool  for  his  own  profit. 
The  world  takes  you   at    your  own 

valuation  ;    mean    he  who  thinks 

himself  mean. 
There  is  no  rule  without  exception. 
Even  the  fingers  on  one  hand  are 

not  equals. 
He  who  serves  is  not  free. 
That  is  the  best  part  of  his  history. 


218 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Es  hombre  de  arraigo. 

Esas  son  otras  mil  y  quinientas. 
A  la  de  Dios ;    6  á  la  de  Dios  es 
Cristo. 

Agosto  y  vendimia  no  es  cada  dia,  y 
si  cada  año,  unos  con  ganancia,  y 
otros  con  daño. 

Algo  es  queso,  pues  se  da  por  peso. 

La   pobreza   no   es   vileza,    mas    es 

ramo  de  pereza. 
Primero   son  mis    dientes,  que  mis 

parientes. 
Por  los  bueyes  que  son  de  mi  padre, 

siquiera  aren,  siquiera  no  aren. 
Los  duelos  con  pan  son  menos. 

Ser  voto. 

Esto  es  mió. 

Lo  mejor  será. 

¿Qué  fué  lo  que  en  realidad  pasó? 

Es  en  balde. 

Ser  uno  de  tantos. 

Juan  es  del  consejo. 

¿Como  fué  eso? 

¿  Que  quiere  ser  esto  ? 

Aqui  fué  ello. 

De  buena  casa,  buena  brasa. 

Ser  una  venta. 

Ser  una  cosa  de  chicha  y  nabo. 

Ser  de  monte  y  ribera. 

Ser  de  manga  ancha,  ó  tener  manga 
ancha. 

¡  Ser  buena  tierra  para  sembrar  na- 
bos ! 


He  is  a  man  of  considerable  landed 
property. 

That  must  also  be  added. 

The  inconsideration  or  temerity  with 
which  affairs  are  sometimes  un- 
dertaken. 

Have  a  care ;  the  vintage  comes 
but  once  a  year,  and  is  precari- 
ous. 

If  an  article  is  worth  weighing,  it  is 
worth  something. 

Poverty  is  no  crime,  but  sometimes 
implies  a  want  of  energy. 

Charity  begins  at  home. 

People  are  very  careless  where  per- 
sonal interests  are  not  concerned. 

Troubles  are  more  bearable  if  one 
is  not  also  poor. 

To  be  qualified  to  vote  ;  to  be  com- 
petent to  judge. 

This  belongs  to  me. 

The  better  course  will  be. 

What  did  really  occur? 

It  is  labor  lost. 

To  be  one  of  the  members. 

John  is  a  member  of  the  council. 

How  did  this  happen? 

What  is  all  this? 

Here  it  happened. 

Even  the  crumbs  of  wealth  have 
their  value. 

To  be  an  expensive  or  comfortless 
place. 

To  be  unimportant,  immaterial. 

To  be  fit  for  anything. 

To  be  unscrupulous. 

Fine  soil  for  turnips  !  (ironical ;  i.e., 
this  man  is  good  for  nothing) . 


SPAy/SII  IDIOMS. 


219 


No  es  \illano  cl  cle  la  villa,  sino  -el 
(¡110  hace  la  villanía. 

Es  una  quínola. 

Ser  un  pedazo  de  alcornoque. 

Es  un  bolo. 

Es  una  muerte. 

Ser  una  porra. 

Es  la  vida  perdurable  ! 

La  paloma  es  la  ralea  del  halcón. 

Ser  franco  como  un  gavilán. 

Ser  una  manta  mojada. 

Es  una  cosa  de  mala  calaña. 

Es  mas  delicado  que  discreto. 

La  mucha  familiaridad  es  causa  de 

menosprecio. 
Ser  un  hazmereir. 
Ser  mas  necio,  ó  mas  ruin  cjue   su 

zapato. 
Es  un  burro  cargado  de  letras. 

Es  un  solemne  bobo. 
Ser  un  cascabel. 

El  bobo,  si  es  callado,  por  sesudo  es 

reputado. 
Ser  un  cesto. 
Es  un   indio  ;    ó  nada  menos  que 

tonto. 
Son  lobos  de  la  misma  camada. 

¡  Es  como  un  oro  patitas  y  todo  ! 

El  lobo  y  la  vulpeja,  ambos  son  de 
una  conseja. 


A  \-íllaia   is  not  a  \'illagcr,  but  one 

who  does  villainous  deeds  (a  play 

upon  words). 
It  is  very  vexatious. 
To  be  very  dull  or  stupid. 
He  is  a  stupid  fellow,  an  idiot. 
He  is  an  unendurable  bore. 
To  be  very  tiresome,  a  bore. 
It,  or  he,  lasts    forever  !   (said  of  a 

tedious  person  or  occurrence). 
The  dove  is  the  favorite  prey  of  the 

falcon. 
To    be    as   generous   as  a   sparrow- 

haw'k  (ironical). 
To  be  useless  :  to  discourage  ;  to  be 

a  wet  blanket. 
It  is  a  bad  thing. 
He  is  more  nice  than  wise. 
Too    much    familiarity  breeds   con- 
tempt. 
To  be  a  laughing-stock. 
To  be  more   stupid    than    an    owl  : 

very  mean  and  low. 
With   all    his   learning    he   is   but   a 

clown. 
He  is  a  downright  booby. 
To  have  little  judgment ;  to  be  rat- 
tle-brained, cracked. 
If  a  fool  holds  his  tongue,  he  may 

pass  for  a  wise  man. 
To  be  ignorant  and  rude. 
He  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  a 

fool. 
They  are  wolves  from  the  same  den  ; 

chips  from  the  same  block. 
He    is    a    scoundrel  !     (spoken    in 

scorn). 
The  wolf  and  the  vulture  are  of  the 

same    mind  ;     the    wicked    think 

alike. 


220 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Este  nuestro  hijo,  Don  Lope,  ni  es 
miel,  ni  hiél,  ni  vinagre,  ni  arrope  ; 
ni  es  carne,  ni  pescado. 

Ser  buena  guitarra. 

Otra  cosa  es  con  guitarra. 

Un  fatuo  es  obra  de  la  naturaleza,  y 

el  majo  lo  es  de  la  vanidad. 
Ser  de  bulto. 
Ser  de  cajón. 
Es  un  buen  sastre. 
Es  un  corto  sastre. 
Es  un  cajón  de  sastre. 

Es  la  corneja  de  Esopo.  ó  de  la  fábula. 
El  libro  es  bueno  aún  con  esas  faltas. 

Ser  todo  hoja,  y  no  tener  fruto. 

El  perro  flaco,  todo  es  pulgas. 

Ser  flores  de  cantueso. 
Entre  si  son  flores. 

Al  gusto  dañado  ó  extragado,  lo 
dulce  le  es  amargo,  ó  el  gusto 
dañado  juzga  lo  dulce  por  agrio. 

Ser  amigo  de  regalarse. 

Ser  alguno  el  eco  de  otro. 

Si  eres  niño  y  has  amor  ¿  que  harás 
cuando  mayor? 

Ser  menester  tenazas. 

Es  un  baile  de  candil. 

¡  Es  un  verdadero  ramo  de  ortiga  ! 

Es  una  atrocidad   lo  que  come,  lo 

que  trabaja. 
Fraile  modesto  nunca  fué  prior. 


He,  or  it,  is  neither  fish  nor  flesh, 
nor  good  red  herring  {j.e.,  use- 
less). 

To  be  artful  and  cunning. 

You  will  sing  a  different  song  when 
the  time  comes. 

An  idiot  is  the  work  of  nature,  and 
a  fop  is  that  of  vanity. 

To  be  quite  clear,  evident. 

To  be  a  matter  of  course. 

He  is  a  silly  fellow. 

He  is  not  skilled  in  his  profession. 

He  is  a  confused,  superficial  scrib- 
bler. 

He  is  a  plagiarist. 

The  book  is  good,  notwithstanding 
those  faults. 

To  be  all  leaves  and  no  fruit  {i.e., 
many  words  and  little  thought). 

There  is  always  an  ill  word  for  the 
unfortunate. 

To  be  mere  trifles. 

There  are  petty  disputes  between 
them. 

One  who  is  prejudiced  by  passion 
will  not  heed  gentle  reproof. 

To  be  fond  of  good  living. 

To  be  a  mere  echo  of  another  person. 

Bad  habits,  uncorrected  in  child- 
hood, increase  with  age. 

To  be  difficult  to  extract  anything 
from  one. 

It  is  a  party  of  vulgar,  uneducated 
people. 

He  is  a  human  nettle  ;  his  character 
is  unbearable. 

He  eats,  or  works,  excessively. 

A  modest  (unpretending)  monk  will 
never  become  prior. 


sPAmsn  IDIOMS. 


221 


Este  proceder  no  es  de  hombre  de 
bien. 

Al  mentiroso  conviene  ser  memori- 
oso. 

Coles  y  nabos  para  en  una,  son  en- 
trambos. 

Los  dos  son  embusteros  á  cual  mas. 

El  engañador  suele  ser  el  engañado. 

Antes  eran  amigos,  pero  hace  un  año 
que  tronaron. 

Ser  aficionado  al  zumaque. 

De  las  aves  que  alzan  el  rabo,  lo 
peor  es  el  jarro. 

Es  una  mala  vergüenza. 

Ser  de  la  cascara  amarga. 

Es  un  alquitrán. 

Es  un  bamboche. 

Ser,  ó  parecer,  un  coco. 

Es  una  bruja,  ó  parece  una  bruja. 

Ser  como  un  puño. 

Estas  son  tortas  y  pan  pintado. 

Ser  duro  de  pelar. 

Ser  corazón  de  bronce. 

Ser  de  la  pega. 

La  noche  es  capa  de  pecadores. 

Ser  de  dos  haces. 

Es  un  loco  quien  su  mal  echa  á  otro. 

El  que  no  puede  ser  agraviado,  no 

puede  agraviar  á  nadie. 
Ser  una  temeridad. 
Esa  es  otra. 

Ser  el  dado  malo. 

Ser  muy  delgado,  ó  delicado  para  el 

infierno. 
Esas  son  entradas  de  pavana. 


This  proceeding  is    not   that   of  an 

honest  man. 
A  liar  needs  a  good  memory. 

They  are  companions  in  low  pleas- 
ures ;   rascals  seek  their  like. 

They  are  both  tremendous  liars. 

The  biter  is  often  bit. 

Formerly  they  were  friends,  but  they 
quarrelled  a  year  ago. 

To  be  addicted  to  drinking. 

Drunkenness  is  a  fatal  vice. 

It  is  a  shameful  thing. 

To  be  ill-tempered,  or  ill-natured. 

He  is  a  passionate  man. 

He  is  a  fat,  short,  red- faced  person. 

To  be  very  ugly,  a  bugbear. 

She  looks  like  a  witch. 

To  be  miserly,  close-fisted. 

There  is  much  worse  to  come. 

To  be  hard  and  close  in  business. 

To  have  a  hard  heart ;  to  be  able  to 

endure  hard  work. 
To  belong  to  the  gang. 
The  night  is  a  cloak  for  sinners. 
To  be  double-faced. 
He  who  throws  the  blame  of  his  own 

faults  on  others  is  a  fool. 
He  who    cannot    resent   an   affront 

cannot  give  one. 
To  be  impertinent,  rash,  excessive. 
That  is  another  impertinence  of  the 

same  kind. 
To  be  a  scapegoat  ;    to  get  all  the 

blame. 
To  be  very  sensitive  to  slight  annoy- 
ances. 
These     are     unseemly     pretensions 

(irony  to  one  who  asks  for  a  trifle 

in  a  formal  way). 


222 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Ser  de  buen  pelo. 

Ser  cuchillo  de  alguno. 

El  buey  harto  no  es  comedor. 

Ser  de  poco  rango. 

Ser  un  desdichado. 

Ser  ó  tener  mala  cabeza. 

Ese  hombre  es  para  todo,  ó  es  para 

nada. 
Nunca  lo  bueno  fué  mucho. 
Para  el  mal  que  hoy  se  acaba,  no  es 

remedio  el  de  mañana. 
Palabras    azucaradas    por   mas   son 

amargas. 
Después  del  daño,  cada  uno  es  sabio. 

Si  la  locura  fuese  dolores,  en  cada 

casa  darian  voces. 
Quien  de  todos  es  amigo,  ó  es  muy 

pobre,  ó  es  muy  rico. 
Aquellos  son  ricos  que  tienen  amigos. 
Tan  grande  es  el  yerro  como  el  que 

yerra. 
Tonto  sin  saber  Latin,  nunca  es  gran 

tonto. 
Amigo  de  todos,  y  de  ninguno,  todo 

es  uno. 
Asno  sea  quien  á  asno  vocea. 
Buen  principio,  la  mitad  es  hecho. 
El  mejor  lance,  ó  lo  mejor  de  los 

dados  es  no  jugarlos. 
Lo  barato  es  caro. 
Abril  y  Mayo  son  llaves  de  todo  el 

año. 

Amor  de  padre,  que  todo  lo  demás 
es  aire. 

Entre  amigos  y  soldados,  cumpli- 
mientos son  excusados. 


To  be  of  fine  fibre  (used  ironically, 
as  equivalent  to  ill-disposed). 

To  be  a  thorn  in  one's  side. 

Undue  indulgence  enfeebles. 

To  make  a  poor  figure  in  the  world. 

To  be  a  sorry,  pitiful  creature  ;  a 
good-for-nothing. 

To  be  a  man  of  bad  principles ;  to 
be  weak-minded. 

That  man  is  fit  for  everything,  or  he 
is  fit  for  nothing. 

What  is  good  was  never  yet  plentiful. 

To-morrow's  remedy  will  not  ward 
off  the  evil  of  to-day. 

Sugared  words  generally  prove  bit- 
ter. 

Every  one  is  wise  when  the  mischief 
is  done. 

If  folly  were  a  pain,  there  would  be 
groaning  in  every  house. 

He  who  is  everybody's  friend  is 
either  very  poor  or  very  rich. 

They  are  rich  who  have  friends. 

The  fault  is  as  great  as  he  who  com- 
mits it. 

A  fool  is  never  a  great  fool  unless  he 
knows  Latin. 

Everybody's  friend  and  nobody's 
friend,  it  is  the  same  thing. 

He  is  an  ass  who  brays  at  an  ass. 

Well  begun  is  half  done. 

The  best  way  to  manage  dice  is  to 
let  them  alone. 

Cheap  things  are  dear  in  the  end. 

April  and  May  are  the  keys  of  the 
year  (the  crops  depending  upon 
them). 

Parental  love  is  the  deepest  of  all. 

Between  friends  and  soldiers  com- 
pliments are  needless. 


SPAmS/I  IDIOMS. 


223 


Buen  apunte  es  fulano. 

Hombre  pobre,  todo  es  trazas. 

Pedro  es  un  borrico. 

¡  Luego  es  verdad  ! 

Esa  es  la  cosa. 

¡  Ojo  al  Cristo  que  es  de  plata  ! 

Ser  un  para  nada. 

Es  un  estuche. 

Ser  de  poco  mas  ó  menos. 

Todo  es  agua  de  cerrajas. 

Ser  un  perdido. 

Es  una  buena  maula. 

¡  Ella  es  una  buena  maula  ! 

No  es  nada. 

Es  un  pobre  petate. 

¡  Ahi  es  un  grano  de  anis  ! 

En  casa  del  ruin  la  mujer  es  alguacil. 

Es  un  despachurrado. 
No  ser  para  silla  ni  para  albarda. 
No  ser  hombre  para  alguna  cosa. 
Ruin  sea  quien  por  ruin  se  tiene. 

Albricias    padre,  que    el  Obispo  es 

chantre. 
Donde  Dios  es  servido. 
¡  Siendo  Dios  servido  ! 
¡  Sírvase  Dios  con  todo  ! 

Serviré  á  V.  con  mis  posibles. 
Quien  á  muchos  amos  sirve,  á  uno  ú 

otro  ha  de  hacer  falta. 
¡  Sirva  de  gobierno  ;  ó  de  aviso  ! 
No  servir  á  Dios,  ni  al  diablo. 
Sírvase  V.  decirme. 
Servir  de  toda  broza. 
Sirve  á  un  rico  empobrecido,  y  no 

á  un  pobre  enriquecido. 


Such  an  one  is  a  nice  creature 
(ironical). 

A  i)oor  man  must  work  hard. 

Peter  is  a  very  hard  worker. 

Then  it  is  true  ! 

That  is  the  question. 

Take  care  ! 

To  be  a  good-for-nothing  fellow. 

He  is  a  very  clever  fellow. 

To  be  a  despicable  good-for-nothing. 

It  is  good  for  nothing  ;  empty  words. 

To  be  a  spendthrift,  a  lost  creature. 

He  is  a  good-for-nothing  fellow. 

She  is  a  huzzy  !   (used  jocularly). 

It  is  nothing  at  all,  nothing  serious. 

He  is  a  poor  scrub. 

Here  is  a  grain  of  anise  !  (a  sneer 
at  the  unimportance  of  a  thing). 

When  the  husband  is  a  ne'er-do- 
weel,  the  wife  must  rule. 

He  is  a  ridiculous,  insipid  fellow. 

To  be  good  for  nothing. 

Not  a  person  to  be  depended  upon. 

He  who  does  not  respect  himself 
will  not  be  respected. 

Those  who  ask  for  rewards  which 
they  do  not  deserve. 

Whatever  God  pleases. 

Please  God  ! 

Be  it  as  God  wills  !  God's  will  be 
done  ! 

I  will  serve  you  with  all  my  power. 

No  man  can  serve  two  masters  satis- 
factorily. 

Let  this  be  a  warning  to  you. 

To  be  good  for  nothing. 

Pray  tell  me. 

To  do  all  sorts  of  work. 

An  impoverished  rich  man  may  make 
a  good  master,  but  not  an  enriched 
poor  man. 


224 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Sirve  á  Señor,  y  sabrás  de  dolor. 

Servir  el  vientre. 

Sitiar  por  hambre. 

Mas  vale  que  sobre  que  no  que  falte. 

Ni  sobró,  ni  faltó  ni  hubo  harto. 

Sobreponerse  á  los  respetos  divinos. 
Sobreponerse  á  las  hablillas  del  vulgo. 
Sobresalto  de  tendones. 
Socavar  la  salud. 
Socavar  la  tierra. 

Soltar  la  capa. 
Soltar  el  reloj. 


Soltar  la  deuda. 

Soltar  una  especie. 

Soltar  el  trapo,  ó  la  rienda. 

El  tablón  ha  soltado  su  cabeza. 
Soltar  la  maldita  ó  taravilla. 
Soltar  la  carga. 
Soltar  la  palabra. 

Soltar  la  voz. 

Soltar  la  perra. 

Cuando  el  rio  suena,  agua  lleva. 

Lo  que  me  suena,  me  suena. 

Lo  que  fuere,  sonará. 

Bien  me  sonó  lo  que  dijo. 

Mal  me  suena  la  cantada. 

¡  Pato,  ganso  y  ansarón,  tres  cosas 


suenan  y  una  son 


El  bien  suena  y  el  mal  vuela. 


It  is  a  hard  matter  to  serve  the  pow- 
erful. 

To  eat  too  much  habitually ;  to  be 
gluttonous. 

To  take  undue  advantage  of  a  per- 
son's need. 

It  is  better  to  have  too  much  than 
to  be  in  want. 

Neither  too  much  nor  too  little  ;  the 
quantity  was  exact. 

To  disregard  the  divine  law. 

To  disdain  vulgar  gossip. 

Involuntary  twitching  of  the  muscles. 

To  ruin  the  health. 

To  root  up  the  ground  (applied  to 
animals). 

To  take  off  the  cloak ;  to  dodge. 

To  make  a  clock  repeat ;  to  stop 
the  clock  so  that  it  may  forever 
mark  the  hour  of  victory. 

To  forgive  a  debt. 

To  throw  out  a  suggestion. 

To  give  one's  self  up  to  vice  or  bad 
habits. 

The  end  of  the  plank  has  started. 

To  give  loose  to  one's  tongue. 

To  throw  down  a  burden  or  duty. 

To  absolve  from  an  obligation  ;  to 
pledge  one's  word. 

To  divulge  ;  to  publish. 

To  run  through  one's  fortune. 

When  the  river  roars,  the  water  rises. 

I  prefer  to  call  a  spade  a  spade. 

What  will  be,  will  be. 

I  was  much  pleased  with  what  he 
said. 

I  do  not  like  the  song. 

Little  meaning,  and  many  words. 

Good  news  is  rumored,  bad  news 
flies. 


Sr.L\7SI/  IDIOMS. 


225 


Soñaba  el  ciego  (^ue  veia,  y  soñaba 

lo  que  queria. 
Sondar  la  bomba. 
La  fortuna  le  sonrie  con  pür\enir  de 

gloria. 
Soplar  la  musa. 
Soplar  la  dama. 
Soj)larse  las  manos  ó  las  uñas. 
Soplársela  á  alguno. 
Sorbérsela  á  alguno. 
Sosegarse  el  aire. 
Sosiégúese  V. 
Subir  al  trono. 
Subir  la  consulta  al  rey. 
Subirse  á  mayores. 
Subirse  de  talones. 
Subirse  en  zancos. 

Subirse  á  las  barbas. 

Subirse  á  las  bobedillas.    . 

Subirse  la  mostaza  á  las  narices. 

Subirse  á  predicar. 

Subirse  el  vino  á  la  cabeza. 

Subir  la  cabeza. 

Subir  de  punto. 

Subir  el  calor. 

El  rio,  ó  la  marea  sube. 

Subir  como  la  espuma. 

Subir  el  estilo. 

La  oración  breve  sube,  ó  penetra  al 

cielo. 
Subir  el  telón. 
Subir  de  pregonero  á  verdugo. 

Subir  un  artículo  de  comercio. 
Subir  á  las    nubes,  ó    estar  por  las 

nubes. 
El  pollo  de  Enero  sube  con  el  padre 

al  gallinero. 
El  gasto  sube  á  cien  pesos. 


Things  sometimes  seem  easy  which 
are  really  difficult. 

To  sound  the  pump  (nau.). 

Fortune  smiles  on  him,  and  prom- 
ises him  a  glorious  fortune. 

To  have  a  poetic  inspiration. 

To  marry  a  woman. 

To  be  disappointed  and  ridiculed. 

To  deceive  a  person. 

To  conquer  or  surpass  any  one. 

To  grow  calm. 

Compose  yourself. 

To  come  to  the  throne. 

To  lay  an  affair  before  the  king. 

To  become  supercilious. 

To  grow  proud  and  haughty. 

To  be  haughty,  elated  with  good  for- 
tune. 

To  be  w^anting  in  respect  to  one's 
superiors  ;  to  fly  in  one's  face. 

To  be  violently  irritated. 

To  ñy  into  a  passion. 

To  mount  to  the  head  (wine). 

To  become  intoxicated. 

To  hold  the  head  erect. 

To  improve  ;  to  increase. 

To  raise  or  heighten  the  color. 

The  river  or  the  tide  rises. 

To  become  rapidly  rich  or  famous.. 

To  improve  one's  literary  style. 

Short  prayers  find  their  way  to 
heaven. 

To  raise  the  curtain. 

To  make  a  change  (of  office)  for 
the  worse. 

To  raise  the  value  of  an  article. 

To  raise  or  increase  prices  very 
much. 

Chickens  are  better  in  cold  weather 
than  in  hot. 

The  expense  amounts  to  a  hundred 
dollars. 


226 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Aunque    se    suba    al   cielo,  ó  á  las 

nubes. 
Ladroncillo  de  agujeta,  después  sube 

á  barjuleta. 
Suceda  lo  que  sucediere. 
Sucedió  asi. 
Sudar  la  prensa. 
Sudar  la  gota  gorda. 
No  sufrir  pulgas. 
¡  Súfrase    quien    penas    tiene,    que 

tiempo  tras  tiempo  viene  ! 
Sufriré  hija  golosa,  y  albendera,  mas 

no  ventanera. 

Sufre  por  saber,  y  trabaja  por  tener. 
No  sufrir  cosquillas,  ó  morisquetas. 
Sugetarse  al  yugo. 

Supeditado  de  los  contrarios. 

Suplicar  en  revista. 

Suplicar  de  la  sentencia. 

Supuesto  que  .  .  . 

Surcar  los  mares. 

Surtir  efecto. 

Suspenderse  el  caballo. 

Suspender  los  pagos. 

Suspender  el  fuego. 

Suspender  ó  apear  á  uno  de  oficio, 
ó  empleo,  ó  tratamiento. 

Suspirar  por  el  favor  de  la  corte. 

Suspirar  por  el  mando. 

Sustentarse  del  aire. 

Comida,  cama  y  capote,  que  sus- 
tente al  niño  y  no  le  sobre. 

Cuenta  y  razón  sustentan  amistad. 

Es  el  mejor  que  sustenta  la  tierra  y 
que  calienta  el  sol. 

Tachar  a  alguno. 

Tachar  testigos. 


I  will  have  my  revenge,  even  though 
I  seek  it  in  the  clouds. 

A  young  filcher  becomes  an  old  rob- 
ber. 

Happen  what  may. 

It  happened  so. 

To  print  very  much. 

To  make  great  efforts. 

To  be  ill-tempered. 

Courage,  you  who  suffer ;  better 
times  will  come  ! 

Bring  up  a  daughter  with  tender  in- 
dulgence, but  with  maidenly  mod- 
esty. , 

Suffer  that  you  may  be  wise,  and 
labor  that  you  may  possess. 

Not  to  permit  jokes  or  tricks ;  to 
be  easily  offended. 

To  submit  to  the  will  or  command 
of  another. 

Suppressed  by  enemies. 

To  apply  for  a  new  trial. 

To  appeal  against  a  sentence. 

Allowing  that  .  .  . ;  granting  that . . . 

To  plougli  the  ocean  (nau.). 

To  have  the  desired  effect. 

To  rear  (a  horse). 

To  stop  payment. 

To  hang  fire. 

To  discharge  a  person  from  office. 

To  exist  only  in  court  favor. 

To  aspire  after  command. 

To  live  on  hopes. 

Educate  your  children  without  un- 
due luxury. 

Short  accounts  make  long  friends. 

It  is  the  best  in  the  world,  or  the 
country. 

To  accuse  one  of  levity. 

To  challenge  a  witness. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


22/ 


Tajar  las  telas. 
Tantear  á  alguno. 
Tañar  de  occisa. 

Tapar  ó  cerrarle  la  boca  á  alguno. 
Taparse  de  medio  ojo. 

Tardar  un  siglo. 
Tasar  judicialmente. 
Tascar  el  freno. 

Temblar  la  barba. 

Temblar  las  carnes. 

Temblarle  la  contera  á  uno. 

No  temas  mancha  que  sale  con  el 
agua. 

Los  perros  de  Zarita,  no  teniendo  á 
c¡uien  morder,  uno  á  otro  se  mor- 
dían. 

Templar  gaita,  ó  la  gaita. 

Tenderse  á  la  bartola. 

Tender  el  paño  de  pulpito. 
Tender  la  raspa. 
Tender  las  redes. 
Tenderla. 

Tender  las  velas. 

Tener  cascos  de  calabaza. 
Tener  la  cabeza  á  las  once. 
No  tiene  dos  quilates  de  juicio. 

No  tener  ni  rey  ni  roque. 
Tener  el  seso  en  los  calcañares. 

No  tener  seso. 
Tener  seco  el  cráneo. 
No  tiene  migaja  de  juicio. 
Tener  letras  gordas. 


To  cause  great  pain  or  sorrow. 

To  sound  a  person  about  anything. 

To  sound  the  bugle  (indicating  the 
death  of  the  game). 

To  bribe  a  person  to  silence. 

To  cover  the  face  all  but  the  eyes 
(as  Eastern  women  do). 

To  be  dilatory,  unpunctual. 

To  tax  ;  to  rate  at  .  .  . 

To  champ  the  bit ;  to  show  impa- 
tience. 

To  undertake  a  difficult  enterprise 
cautiously. 

To  have  a  horror  of  a  thing. 

To  be  afraid. 

Do  not  be  afraid  of  evils  that  can 
easily  be  cured. 

The  wicked  turn  upon  each  other 
when  other  victims  fail. 

To  calm  or  soothe  an  angry  person. 

To  wait  and  take  what  the  gods  pro- 
vide. 

To  speak  much  and  diffusely. 

To  lie  down  to  rest. 

To  cast  the  nets. 

To  challenge ;  to  provoke  a  dis- 
pute. 

To  pave  the  way  for  the  attainment 
of  an  object. 

To  be  silly,  ignorant,  stupid. 

To  have  but  little  judgment. 

He  has  not  the  least  judgment  or 
common  sense. 

Not  to  fear  anything  or  anybody. 

To  have  one's  brains  in  one's  heels ; 
to  be  very  stupid. 

Not  to  have  common  sense. 

To  lack  sense  or  judgment. 

He  has  not  a  grain  of  sense. 

To  be  completely  ignorant. 


228 


SFAA'JSH  IDIOMS. 


Tener  avellanas  en  la  cabeza. 

Tener  malos  cascos ;  ó  cascos  á  la 

jineta. 
Tener  los  sesos  de  un  mosquito  ;  ó 

de  un  chorlito  ;  ó  no  tener  cholla. 
No  tiene  meollo. 
Tener  buenos  ó  malos  apaños. 

Tener  cataratas. 

Tener  buenas  tragaderas. 

Tener  buenas  creederas. 
Tener  ó  usar  mucha  zandanga. 

Tener  muchas  conchas  ;  ó  muchas 
gavetas  ;  ó  mucha  letra. 

Tener  alguno  buenas  ó  malas  ausen- 
cias. 

No  tiene  un  adarme  de  memoria. 

Tener  cascabel. 

Tener  telarañas  en  los  ojos. 

¡  No  tengas  cuidado,  que  yo  te  arre- 
glaré ! 

Tener  buen  cuajo. 

Tener  arrimados. 

¿Que  tienen  que  hacer  las  bragas 
con  la  alcabala  de  las  habas  ? 

Tener  buena  ó  mala  boca. 

Tener  zelos  de  uno. 

Tener  ceño. 

Tener  una  nube  en  el  corazón. 

Tener  zorra. 

Tener  mala  condición. 

Tener  ó  poner  en  condición. 

Tener  la  sangre  caliente. 

Este  desacierto  no  tiene  soldadura. 

No  tener  juicio. 

¡  Le  tengo  á  V.  rencor,  señor  ! 


To  have  filberts  in  one's  head ;  to 
be  firivolous,  brainless. 

To  be  crazed,  hare-brained,  harum- 
scarum. 

Not  to  have  the  brains  of  a  mos- 
quito, or  of  a  sparrow. 

He  has  no  brains. 

Not  to  have  an  aptitude  for  any- 
thing. 

Not  to  understand  clearly. 

To  be  very  credulous,  easily  de- 
ceived. 

To  swallow  the  bait ;  to  be  credulous. 

To  delude  by  flattery ;  to  cajole, 
wheedle. 

To  be  very  artful  and  cunning. 

To  be  well  or  ill  spoken  of  in  one's 

absence. 
He  has  a  very  bad  memory. 
To  be  uneasy  in  mind,  worried. 
To  look  carelessly,  without  attention 

(to  have  cobwebs  in  one's  eyes). 
Be  careful,  or  I  will  punish  you  ! 

To  be  too  dull  and  patient. 

To  be  possessed  by  evil  spirits. 

To  make  inappropriate  and  ill-timed 
remarks. 

To  speak  well  or  ill  of  others. 

To  be  jealous  of  any  one. 

To  look  gloomy. 

To  have  a  secret  grief. 

To  be  melancholy. 

To  be  of  a  peevish  disposition. 

To  hazard  ;  to  expose  to  danger. 

To  have  one's  blood  up  ;  to  be  tho- 
roughly aroused. 

This  wrong  cannot  be  redressed. 

To  be  wild,  inconsiderate. 

Have  at  you,  sir  ! 


SPAÁ'JSn  IDIOMS. 


229 


Tener  vuelta. 

Tener  \-ueltas  alguno. 

Tener  ó  traer  debajo  de  los  pies. 

Tener  al  estricote. 

Tener  refranes. 

Tener  pachorra. 

Tener  ó  hacer  oidos  de  mercader. 
Tener  á  menos,  ó  en  menos. 
Palabra  y  piedra   suelta  no  tienen 

vuelta  ;  ó  palabra  de  boca,  piedra 

de  honda. 
Tener  tema  á  alguna  persona. 
Cada  uno  tiene  su  tema. 
Tener  malas  pulgas. 

No  tener  pepita. 

No  tiene  pies  ni  cabeza. 

No  tener  atadero. 

Tiene  mucha  porra. 

Ten  conocidos  muchos,  amigos  po- 
cos. 

Tener  de  chinches  la  sangre. 

Tener  alguno  la  culpa. 

No  tener  remedio. 

Tener  palabras  con  alguno  ;  ó  tra- 
barse de  palabras. 

Tener  el  agua  á  la  garganta. 

No  tener  hechura. 

Tener  una  cosa  buen  ó  mal  prestigio. 

Tener  por  flor  ;  ó  tomar  la  _flor ;  ó 

dar  en  la  ñor. 
Tener  tuerto. 
Hombre  sentado,  ni  capaz  tendido, 

ni  camisón  curado. 
Tener  los  papeles  mojados. 


An  admonition  to  return  a  borrowed 

article. 
To  be  inconstant,  fickle. 
'l"o  trample  under  foot. 
To  harass,   torment ;  to  amuse  with 

vain  promises. 
To    be  versed    in   tricks    and   villa- 

nies. 
To  be  phlegmatic. 
To  lend  a  deaf  ear. 
To  depreciate  anything. 
A  word  spoken,  and  a  stone  thrown, 

cannot  be  recalled. 

To  have  a  grudge  against  a  person. 

Every  one  has  his  hobby. 

To  be  easily  piqued  ;  to  be  ill-tem- 
pered. 

Not  to  mince  matters. 

That  has  neither  rhyme  nor  reason 
(neither  head  nor  feet). 

To  have  neither  head  nor  tail. 

He  is  extravagantly  vain. 

Have  many  acquaintances,  but  few 
friends. 

To  be  tiresome,  troublesome. 

To  be  guilty  or  blameworthy. 

To  be  unavoidable. 

To  dispute  with  a  person. 

To  be  in  imminent  danger. 

It  is  not  possible,  practicable. 

To  forebode  good  or  evil  from  an 

afiair. 
To  contract  a  habit  (generally  a  bad 

one ) . 
To  be  wrong. 
Lazy  people  lose  all  their  comforts. 

To  tell  a  person  that  the  news  he 
brines  is  unfounded  or  false. 


230 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


No    tener   cabo,  ni   cuerda   alguna 

cosa. 
Tener  que  arrimarse  á  la  pared. 
Tener  la  lengua  gorda. 
Tener  la  guerra  declarada. 

Tener  algo  en  la  punta  de  la  lengua. 

No  tengo  boca  de  costal. 
Tener  por  dicha  alguna  cosa. 
¡  Tenga  V.  entendido  ! 
Tener  para  si. 
El  que  tiene  búa,  ese  la  estruja. 

No  tener  que  habérselas  con  uno. 

Tener  de  cerca. 

Tener  tantos  años. 

Tiene  muchas  navidades. 

Tener  canas. 

Eso  ya  tiene  canas. 

Ella  tiene  siete  años  bobos. 

Tiene  cinco  pies  bobos; 

El  no  tiene  aun  cincuenta  años,  pero 
le  zumban. 

Tener  en  mucho. 

¡  Tener  ! 

Á  gaznate  tendido. 

Tener  casa  y  tinelo. 

Si  el  caballo  tuviera  bazo,  y  la  pa- 
loma hiél,  toda  la  gente  se  aven- 
dría bien. 

Quien  tiene  hijas  para  casar,  tome 
vedijas  para  hilar. 

Quien  tiene  hijos  al  lado  no  morirá 
ahitado. 

Padre  no  tuviste,  madre  no  temiste, 
hijo,  mal  despereciste. 

Tener  sueño. 

Tiene  mucha  ó  buena  retentiva. 

Tener  presente  ;  ó  tener  en  la  me- 
moria. 


It  is  all  confusion ;  has  neither  be- 
ginning nor  end. 

To  have  drunk  too  much. 

To  be  intoxicated. 

To  be  at  open  war  (said  of  quarrel- 
some persons). 

To  have  something  on  the  tip  of 
one's  tongue. 

I  cannot  tell  all  at  once. 

To  take  something  for  granted. 

I  warn  you  !  remember  ! 

To  maintain  a  singular  opinion. 

Every  one  knows  where  his  own 
shoe  pinches. 

To  have  nothing  to  do  with  one. 

To  be  near  akin. 

To  be  so  many  years  old. 

He  is  very  aged. 

To  be  old. 

That  is  stale  news. 

She  is  quite  seven  years  old. 

He  is  full  five  feet  high. 

He  is  not  yet  fifty  years  old,  but 
very  near  it. 

To  think  much  of  a  thing. 

Hold  !  stop  ! 

At  the  top  of  one's  voice. 

To  keep  open  house. 

An  unsympathetic  person  is  not 
pleasing  in  society. 

Parents  must  educate  their  daugh- 
ters thriftily,  in  order  to  marry 
them  well. 

Parents  willingly  deny  themselves 
for  the  sake  of  their  children. 

A  father's  authority  is  needful  for 
the  education  of  children. 

To  be  sleepy. 

He  has  a  good  memory. 

To  bear  in  mind. 


SPAA'IS//  IDIOMS. 


231 


No  tcncr  en  olvido. 

Tener  la  carrera. 

Tener  puntos  de  .  .  . 

Tener  narices  de  perro  perdiguero. 

Tener  lugar. 

En  buen  año  y  malo,  ten  tu  vientre 

reglado. 
Tener  hambre. 
Tener  buen  diente. 

Mozo  de  quince  años  tiene  papo  y 

no  tiene  manos. 
El  general  tiene  buena  mesa. 
Tener  mesa. 

Al  cabo  de  un  año  tiene  el  mozo  las 
mañas  de  su  amo. 

Tener  de,  ó  en  corazón  ;  ó  de  me- 
moria. 

Quien  tuviere  hijo  varón,  no  llame  á 
otro  ladrón. 

Mas  acompañados  y  paniaguados 
debe  de  tener  la  locura  que  la 
discreción. 

Tener  algo  por  dicho. 

Tener  mucha  mosca. 

Fulano  tiene  monises. 

Tener  que  comer. 

Tener  ó  llevar  bien  herrada  la  bolsa. 

Tener  talego. 

Pedro  no  sabe  lo  que  tiene. 

Tener  una  buena  tajada. 

Quien  tiene  dinero,  pinta  pandero. 

Pues  no  le  tengo  yo  por  rico. 
Tener  piedra  en  el  rollo. 
Tener  bien  puestos  los  bolos. 


To  keep  in  mind. 

To  continue  on  one's  way. 

To  know,  or  have  a  little  of  .  .  , 

To  foresee  what  is  to  come. 

To  take  place. 

At  all  seasons  be  moderate  in  eat- 
ing. 

To  be  hungry. 

To  be  a  great  eater  ;  to  have  a  good 
appetite. 

A  boy  of  fifteen  eats  much  and 
works  little. 

The  general  keeps  a  good  table. 

To  invite  a  certain  number  of  per- 
sons regularly  to  dinner. 

The  habits  of  the  master  are  soon 
adopted  by  those  beneath  him. 

To  know  by  heart. 

We  must  beware  of  blaming  in 
others  faults  which  we  may  pos- 
sess ourselves. 

Folly  will  have  more  followers  than 
discretion. 

To  take  a  thing  for  granted. 

To  be  very  rich. 

Such  an  one  is  rich. 

To  have  a  competency. 

To  have  plenty  of  money. 

To  have  money. 

Peter  has  a  very  great  fortune  (does 
not  know  how  much  he  has). 

To  have  a  lucrative  occupation  or 
post. 

He  who  has  money  may  accomplish 
much. 

Indeed,  I  do  not  think  him  rich. 

To  have  some  credit. 

To  take  precautions  to  insure  suc- 
cess. 


232 


SPAiWSH  IDIOMS. 


Tener  soga  de  ahorgado. 


Tener  buen  ó  mal  aspecto  alguna 

cosa. 
Tener  pinta  de  .  .  . 
La  cosa  tiene  buena  pinta. 
El  tiene  iguala  con  Pedro. 
Tener  que  obedecer. 
Quien  tiene  tienda,  que  atienda. 

Tener  estrellas. 

Tener  copete. 

Tendré  sobre  cien  pesos. 

Tener  los  libros  de  comercio. 

El  negocio  tiene  pelos. 

Tener  uñas  algun  negocio. 

Tiene  mucho  que  heñir. 

Tener  alguna  cosa  su  legua  de  mal 

camino. 
Fulano  tiene  chispa. 
Tener  mundo  ;  ó  mucho  mundo. 

Tener  colmillos. 

Tener  ojos  de  lince. 
Tened  y  tengamos. 

Tener  la  bola  en  el  emboque. 
Tener  una  cabeza  de  hierro,  ó  de 

bronce. 
Tener  sangre  en  el  ojo. 

Se  lo  tendré  á  V.  en  cuenta. 
Tener  cuenta  alguna  cosa. 
Tener  la  casa  como  una  colmena. 

Tener  en  caro. 
Tener  garrones. 


To  have  the  rope  with  which  a  man 
was  hanged  {i.e.,  to  have  good 
luck). 

To  look  well  or  ill  (speaking  of 
business). 

To  have  the  appearance  of .  .  . 

The  thing  looks  well. 

He  ser\-es  Peter  for  a  stipulated  sum. 

To  be  obliged  to  obey. 

Keep  thy  shop,  and  thy  shop  will 
keep  thee. 

To  be  fortunate. 

To  assume  an  air  of  authority. 

I  shall  have  a  little  more  than  a  hun- 
dred dollars. 

To  keep  commercial  books. 

The  business  is  difficult,  intricate. 

To  be  extremely  difficult. 

It  is  very  difficult. 

To  have  difficulties. 

Such  an  one  is  very  acute. 

To  be  acute,  not  easily  deceived ; 
to  have  experience. 

To  be  quick-sighted ;  not  easily  im- 
posed upon. 

To  be  lynx-eyed  ;  to  see  very  clearly. 

Give  and  take  ;  stand  by  me,  and 
I'll  stand  by  you. 

To  be  on  the  eve  of  a  crisis. 

To  be  indefatigable  in  business  ;  to 
be  stubborn. 

To  be  prompt  and  honorable  in  ful- 
filling engagements. 

I  shall  make  it  good  to  you. 

To  be  profitable,  or  advantageous. 

To  have  one's  house  well  stocked 
with  provisions. 

To  estimate  highly. 

To  be  experienced  ;  not  easily  de- 
ceived. 


SPANIS//  IDIOMS. 


2Í2, 


Eso  no  tiene  traza  de  verdad. 
Eso  no  tiene  emboque. 

Tiene  trazas  de  ser  un  picaro. 

No  tiene  obra  buena,  ni  palabra  mala. 

Tener  ó  ser  mala  cabeza. 

La  mentira  tiene  las  piernas  cortas. 

Quien  no  tiene  vergüenza,  todo  el 

campo  es  suyo. 
Tiene  muchas  alicantinas. 
Este  desacierto  no  tiene  soldadura. 
Tener  largas  narices. 
Quien  nada  tiene,  nada  pierde  :    ó 

paga  lo  que  debes,  sabrás  lo  que 

tienes. 
Quien  poco  tiene,  poco  teme. 

Tener  cara  de  corcho. 

No  tener  muelas  de  corcho. 

Tener  sus  miras. 

Quien  tiene  arte  va  por  todas  partes. 

Tener  pelos  en  el  corazón. 

Pedro  no  tiene  cosa  suya. 

Pedro  tiene  muchas  dependencias. 

Tiene   empeño   en    que    su    amigo 

salga  bien. 
Tener  cabida  con  alguno. 
Tener  brazos. 

Tener  el  pié  en  dos  zapatos. 

Tiene  mucha  ventaja  sobre  todos  los 

demás. 
Tener  de  su  parte  á  uno. 

Tener  el  mando  y  el  palo. 


That  has  not  a  shadow  of  truth. 

That  has  not  the  least  apjjcarance 
of  truth. 

He  bears  the  marks  of  a  rogue. 

He  never  keeps  his  word. 

To  be  unprincipled. 

A  lie  has  short  legs  {i.e.,  is  soon  dis- 
covered). 

He  who  has  no  shame  cares  for 
nothing. 

He  is  full  of  stratagems. 

That  wrong  cannot  be  corrected. 

To  be  cautious,  on  one's  guard. 

Out  of  debt,  out  of  danger ;  or,  pay 
what  you  owe,  and  you  will  know 
what  you  have. 

He  who  possesses  little  has  little  to 
fear. 

To  be  brazen-faced,  impudent. 

Not  to  be  easily  imposed  upon  (not 
to  have  teeth  of  cork). 

To  have  a  definite  purpose. 

He  who  has  a  trade  may  get  a  liv- 
ing anywhere. 

To  be  energetic,  courageous,  vigor- 
ous in  action. 

Peter  is  a  very  generous  man. 

Peter  has  a  great  deal  of  business 
on  his  hands. 

He  is  bent  on  his  friend's  success. 

To  be  in  high  favor  with  one. 

To  have  powerful  friends  or  interest 
at  command. 

To  have  two  strings  to  one's  bow. 

He  possesses  great  advantages  over 
the  rest. 

To  have  a  person  in  one's  fa\or.  on 
one's  side. 

To  have  absolute  power  over  any- 
thing. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


No  tiene  guarismo. 
Tener  horca  y  cuchillo. 
Tener  cuatro  terrones. 
Tener  muchas  campanillas. 
Tener  buenos  papeles. 

Tener  á  deshonra  alguna  cosa. 

Tener  buenos  cimientos. 
Tener  sobre  si,  ó  á  cuestas. 

Tener  á  cuestas,  sobre  si. 

Tener,  ó  llevar  á  las  ancas. 

Tener,  ó  llevar  á  alguno  por  delante. 
Tener  á  uno  agarrado  por  las  narices. 
Tener  el  padre  alcalde. 

Tener  de  la  oreja. 
Tener  ventana  al  cierzo. 
Tener  á  menos  hablar  á  uno. 
Cuando  tuvieres  un  pelo  mas  que  él. 

Pelo  á  pelo  te  pela  con  él. 
Tener  voz  ajena. 
Tener  mal  pleito. 

El  que  mal  pleito  tiene,  á  barato,  ó 

á  voces  lo  mete. 
No  tener  por  donde  respirar. 

Tiene  la  palabra. 

Cada  cual  tiene  su  modo  de  matar 

pulgas. 
Las  paredes  tienen  oidos. 
La  semana  que  no  tenga  Viernes. 

Quien  tiene   boca,  no  diga  á  otro, 

sopla. 
Tiene  pluma. 
No  saber  en  donde  se  tiene  la  casa. 


It  is  incalculable. 

To  be  lord  of  the  manor. 

To  be  rich  in  landed  property. 

To  be  loaded  with  honors  and  titles. 

To  keep  documents  proving   one's 

nobility  or  merit. 
To   consider   a   thing   unworthy  of 

one's  rank  or  character. 
To  have  a  solid  basis. 
To  have  on  one's  shoulders,  on  one's 

hands. 
To    have    the   guardianship    of  an- 
other's expenses. 
To  support  another  at   one's    own 

expense. 
To  master  or  control  another's  will. 
To  lead  a  person  by  the  nose. 
To  enjoy  the  protection  of  a  man 

in  power. 
To  have  a  person's  ear. 
To  be  haughty,  elated  with  pride. 
Not  to  deign  to  speak  to  one. 
Avoid  lawsuits  with  one  richer  than 

yourself. 
To  defend  (as  a  lawyer). 
To  have  a  poor  case  (as  to  justice 

or  probable  success). 
He  who    defends  a  bad    cause    by 

sophistry. 
To  have  no  valid  answer  to  a  charge 

(not  to  know  how  to  reply). 
He  has  the  floor. 

Each  one  has  his  own  way  of  man- 
aging his  affairs. 
The  walls  have  ears. 
Never  (the  week  in  which  there  is 

no  Friday). 
One  should  not  leave  one's  interests 

to  other  people. 
He  has  feathered  his  nest  well. 
Not  to  know  one's  duty  or  profession. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


235 


Tener  muchas  candongas. 
Tener  una  cosa  buen  ó  mal  presti- 
gio. 
Tener  mucho  pico. 

El  mal  pajarillo,  la  lengua  tiene  por 

cuchillo. 
Tener  á  uno  de  su  mano. 
Tener  á  la  mano. 
Tener  que  hacer. 
Tener  en  la  manga. 

Tener  buen  ó  mal  naipe. 
Tener  el  naipe. 
Tener  un  pié  dentro. 

Tener  sentada  la  mollera. 

Tener  medido  á  palmos. 

Tener  raices. 

Cosa  que  tiene  muchos  quilates  de 

mérito. 
Tener  como  en  la  bolsa  alguna  cosa. 

Tener  la  cuesta  y  las  piedras. 

Tener  ó  traer  cola  alguna  acción. 
Cada  uno  tiene  su  alguacil. 
Tener,  ó  traer  consigo  muchas  con- 
secuencias un  negocio. 
¿No  tiene  ojos? 
Tener  ojo  á  alguna  cosa. 
Quien  tiene  enemigos,  no  duerma. 

Quien  tiene  ganado,  no  desea  mal 
año. 

Tener  en  poco. 

Tener  precisión  de  hacer  algo. 

Hijo  no  tenemos,  y  nombre  le  pone- 
mos. 


To  be  very  artful. 

To  foresee  good  or  evil  from  an 
affair. 

To  talk  too  much,  and  to  di\ulge 
secrets. 

An  evil  tongue  is  like  a  two-edged 
sword. 

To  propitiate  a  person. 

To  refrain. 

To  have  something  to  do. 

To  have  a  thing  always  ready,  always 
at  hand. 

To  have  good  or  bad  luck. 

To  have  the  deal  (cards). 

To  begin  to  be  successful ;  to  gain  a 
footing. 

To  have  become  prudent,  or  reason- 
able. 

To  have  a  practical  or  exact  knowl- 
edge of  a  place. 

To  be  well  grounded. 

A  thing  of  considerable  merit. 

To   be    quite    certain   of  getting    a 

thing. 
To  have  all  the  advantages  on  one's 

own  side. 
To  ha\-e  consequences. 
Every  man  has  his  superior. 
This  affair  will  have  many  results. 

Have  you  no  eyes? 

To  attend  to  a  thing. 

Let  him  who  has  enemies  be  watch- 
ful. 

Only  those  whose  fortunes  are  safe 
are  indifferent  to  bad  harvests. 

To  set  but  little  value  on  a  thing. 

To  be  obliged  to  do  something. 

Counting  one's  chickens  before  they 
are  hatched. 


23Ó 


SPAAVSH  IDIOMS. 


Quien  tiene  ovejas,  tiene  pellejas. 

Tener  las  riendas. 

Tener  tratada  alguna  cosa. 

¿  Que  mas  tiene  una  cosa  que  otra  ? 

Tener  consigo. 

No   tener  arte,  ni   parte  en  alguna 

cosa. 
Tener  junta,  ó  consejo. 
No  tiene  quite. 

Tener  malos  dedos  para  organista. 
Tener  el  alma  parada. 
Tener  mucho  de  miserable. 
Tener  mucha  pimienta. 
No  tener  prójimo. 
No  tiene  entrañas. 
Tener  callo  en  el  corazón. 
Tener  un  corazón  de  bronce. 
Tener  el  alma  entre  los  dientes. 

No  tener  cara  para  hacer,  ó  decir 

alguna  cosa. 
No  tener  boca  para  negar,  ó  decir  no. 
Tener  miedo. 
Tener  malos  hígados. 
Tener  vergüenza. 
Tener  mala  madera. 
No  tener  sobre  que  Dios  le  llueva. 


No  tener  mas  que  el  pellejo. 

No  tener  tras  (jue  parar. 

No  tener  mas  que  el  dia  y  la  noche. 

No  tener  uno  mas  que  la  capa  en  el 

hombro. 
No  tener  mas  que  su  cuerpo  gentil. 

No  tener  para  un  bocado. 


No  pains,  no  gains. 

To  draw  the  reins  tighter. 

To  have  bespoken  or  engaged  a 
thing. 

Why  one  thing  more  than  another? 
What  difference  does  it  make  ? 

To  have  with  or  about  one. 

To  have  nothing  to  do  v/ith  the  mat- 
ter. 

To  hold  a  meeting. 

There  is  no  help  for  it. 

To  be  incompetent. 

To  be  mentally  indolent. 

To  be  a  miser. 

To  be  very  dear,  expensive. 

To  be  unfeeling,  hard-hearted. 

He  has  a  heart  of  stone. 

To  have  a  hard  heart. 

To  be  hard-hearted. 

To  be  terrified ;  to  apprehend  ca- 
lamity. 

Not  to  have  the  courage  to  do  or 
say  a  thing. 

Not  to  dare  to  say  no. 

To  be  afraid. 

To  be  white-livered,  ill-disposed. 

To  be  ashamed. 

To  be  lazy. 

To  be  extremely  poor  (to  have  noth- 
ing upon  which  God's  rain  can 
fall). 

To  be  extremely  poor  (to  possess 
nothing  more  than  one's  skin). 

To  be  absolutely  destitute. 

To  be  very  poor  (to  have  nothing 
but  the  day  and  the  night). 

To  possess  nothing  but  the  clothes 
one  has  on. 

To  have  no  fortune ;  to  possess 
nothing  but  one's  self. 

To  have  no  morsel  of  food. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


237 


No  tener  un  cuarto. 

Tener  cuartos,  ó  cuatro  cuartos. 

No  tener  á  quien  volver  la  cabeza. 

No  tener  casa  ni  hogar. 

No  tener  medios. 

No  tener  blanca  ;  ó  estar  sin  blanca. 

Tener  cara  de  alejijas. 

Tener  muchos  guayes. 

No  tener  hombre. 

El  tjue  no  tiene  buey  ni  cabra,  toda 

la  noche  ara. 
Quien  pobreza  tien,  de  sus  deudos 

es  desden,  y  el  rico,  de  serlo,  de 

todos  es  deudo. 
No  tener  oficio  ni  beneficio. 

Tener  azar  en  alguna  cosa. 

La  necesidad  tiene  cara  de  hereje. 

Trabajo  tiene  la  zorra  cuando  anda 

á  grillos. 
Cada  cual  tiene  sus  penas. 

Tener  una  queja  de  alguno. 

Tengo  que  hacerlo,  mal  de  mi  grado. 

Tener  trato  de  gentes. 

Tener  buen  trato. 

Tener  correa. 

i  Tened  de  ahi  ! 

Tener  el  corazón  en  los  labios. 

Tener  bula  para  todo. 

¿Tenemos  hijo,  ó  hija? 

Tener  el  tapial. 

Cada  semana  tiene  su  dia  santo. 

Tengo  lástima  de  la  pobre  criatura. 

Tener  buen  estómago. 
Tener  calma. 


To  be  utterly  impecunious. 

To  have  plenty  of  money. 

To  have  neither  money  nor  ft-iends. 

To  have  neither  house  nor  liome. 

To  be  destitute  of  aid  or  assistance. 

To  be  absolutely  penniless. 

He  looks  half  starved. 

To  labor  under  many  afflictions. 

To  have  no  protector. 

Great  poverty  brings  great  care. 

People  disown  their  poor  relations, 
but  gladly  claim  their  rich  ones. 

To  have  neither  profession  nor  prop- 
erty. 

To  be  always  unfortunate. 

Necessity  has  a  hideous  aspect. 

Only  the  needy  will  work  for  a  pit- 
tance. 

Every  one  has  his  own  burdens  to 
bear. 

To  have  reason  to  complain  of  one. 

I  am  compelled  to  do  it  in  spite  of 
myselfi 

To  be  accustomed  to  good  society. 

To  be  affable  and  polite. 

To  bear  wit  or  raillery  calmly. 

Stop  ! 

To  be  frank,  open,  candid. 

To  have  permission  to  do  what  one 
likes. 

Has  this  affair  succeeded,  or  failed  ? 
(have  we  a  son,  or  a  daughter?). 

To  have  patience  ;  to  rest. 

Every  cloud  has  its  silver  lining  {i.e., 
every  week  has  its  Sunday) . 

I  pity  the  poor  baby,  or  poor  crea- 
ture. 

To  bear  insults  patiently. 

To  keep  one's  temper. 


238 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Tener  pecho. 

No  tener  hiél. 

Tener  aseguradas  las  espaldas. 

Tener  buen  ó  mal  prestigio  de  una 
persona. 

Tener  en  precio. 

No  tener  pelo  de  tonto. 

Tener  cura. 

Tener  gana. 

Tener  gana  de  fiesta. 

Tener  gana  de  rasco. 

Tener  sus  puntas,  y  collares  de  al- 
guna ciencia  ó  facultad. 

Tenerse  tieso,  ó  tenérselas  tiesas. 

Tener  buen  cerca. 

Tener  andado  mucho  para  alguna 
cosa. 

Tener  carne  de  perro. 

Tengo  un  empeño  con  V. 

Tener  sus  miras. 

Tener  razón. 

No  tener  pero. 

Tener  á  uno  á  raya. 

Tener  siete  vidas. 

Tener  apego. 

¡  Que  caldas  tiene  ! 

Tener  sus  cinco  dedos  en  la  mano. 


Tener  chispa. 

Tener  á  su  favor  á  uno. 

Tiene  un  alma  muy  bella. 

Tiene  un  alma  como  un  cántaro,  no 

sabe  hacer  mal  a  nadie. 
Tener  bien  asentada  su  baza. 
Tener  en  buen  estado. 
Tener  su  alma  en  su  cuerpo. 
Tener  su  alma  en  sus  carnes. 
Yo  lo  tencro  de  buena  mano. 


To  have  patience  ;    to  endure  with 

firmness. 
To  be  meek  and  gentle. 
To  be  safe  from  injury  or  annoyance. 
To  be  well  or  ill  inclined  toward  a 

person. 
To  esteem. 

To  be  bright,  quick,  clever. 
To  be  curable. 

To  have  a  mind,  an  inclination. 
To  provoke  another  to  a  quarrel. 
To  be  in  a  playful  mood. 
To  know  something  of  a  science. 

To  be  firm  in  one's  own  opinion. 
To  admit  of  a  close  examination. 
To  be  well  advanced  or  instructed  in 

anything. 
To  have  much  fortitude  and  strength. 
I  have  a  favor  to  ask  of  you. 
To  have  a  definite  purpose. 
To  be  right. 
To  have  no  defect. 
To  keep  one  within  bounds. 
To   have    escaped  many  perils   (to 

have  seven  lives). 
To  love  a  thing,  or  person. 
How  droll  he  is  ! 
To  have  all  one's  five  fingers  {i.e., 

to   be  fully  equal  to  another  in 

strength). 
To  be  keen,  witty. 
.To  have  a  person  on  one's  side. 
He  has  a  sterling  heart. 
He  is  harmless ;  he  would  not  hurt 

a  fly. 
To  have  a  well-established  character. 
To  keep  in  good  order. 
To  do  as  one  thinks  proper. 
To  have  perfect  freedom  of  action. 
I  have  it  on  good  authority. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


239 


Tener  vigilancia. 
Tener  buen  dia. 
Tenerse  en  pié. 
Tener  buenos  pies. 
Tener  pies. 

Tener  pelos. 

No  tener  pelos  ó  pelillo  en  la  lengua. 

Ella  tiene  muchas  gracias. 

Tener  buenas  barbas. 

Tener  pocas  barbas. 

Tener  barbas  una  noticia. 

Tener  buena  garganta. 

Tener  buen  timbre  de  voz. 

Tener  buen  oido. 

Tener  buenas  bigoteras. 

Tener  vista. 

Tener  buenos  cuartos. 

Tener  garabato. 

Tener  buen  ó  mal  cerca. 

No  poderse  tener  en  pié. 
Tener  ojos  de  bitoque. 
No  tener  mas  que  la  armazón. 
Tener  un  no  sé  que. 

Tener  malas  trazas. 

No  tener,  ó  no  haber  apelación. 

Tener  duende. 

Tener  pocas  chichas. 
Tener  pies  de  mar. 

Tener  buen  sotavento. 
Tentar  á  uno  las  corazas. 
Tentar  el  vado. 

Tentar  cerrojos. 

Tentar  la  paciencia. 


To  watch  ;  to  observe. 

To  spend  a  pleasant  day. 

To  keep  on  foot ;  to  stand. 

To  be  a  good  walker. 

To  have  feet  (said  of  one  who  runs 
fast). 

To  be  intricate,  entangled. 

To  speak  one's  mind  openly. 

She  has  many  accomplishments. 

To  have  a  graceful  mien  ;  to  be  a 
good-looking  woman. 

To  be  young  and  inexperienced. 

That  is  old  news. 

To  be  a  good  singer. 

To  have  a  good  voice. 

To  have  a  quick  ear. 

To  have  a  pleasing  face. 

To  be  beautiful  or  showy. 

To  be  well  made. 

To  be  fascinating. 

To  look  well  or  ill  from  a  short  dis- 
tance. 

To  be  too  weak  to  stand. 

To  squint. 

To  be  only  skin  and  bone. 

To  be  indisposed  without  definite 
symptoms. 

To  look  ill. 

To  be  despaired  of  in  illness. 

To  be  hypochondriac  ;  to  be  rest- 
less. 

To  be  very  lean  and  weak. 

To  be  a  good  sea-boat,  a  swift 
sailer  (nau.). 

To  have  sea-room  (nau.). 

To  try  one's  mettle  or  courage. 

To  gauge  or  try  the  depth  (literally 
or  metaphorically). 

To  try  all  ways  and  means  to  suc- 
ceed. 

To  provoke  or  vex  another  person. 


24U 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Puerta  abierta  al  santo  tienta. 
Tentarse  la  ropa. 

Tentar  la  ropa. 

Teñir  en  rama. 

Terciar  ó  cruzar  las  castas. 

Terciar  la  cara. 

Terciar  el  bastón,  ó  el  palo. 

Traer,  tener,  ó  esta  la  cuerda  tirante. 

Quien  no  trae  soga,  de  sed  se  ahoga. 

Tesar  las  jarcias. 

Tesar  un  cabo. 

Tirar  como  á  real  de  enemigo. 

Tirar  á  degüello. 

Tirarse  en  tierra,  ó  á  tierra. 
Tirar  un  cañonazo. 
Tirar  á  cureña  rasa. 
Tirar  á  uno  de  la  capa. 
Tirar  el  abanico,  ó  la  espada. 
Tirar  largo,   ó   por  lo   largo,   ó  de 

largo. 
Tirar  á  la  calle. 
Tirar  coces. 
Tirar  piedras. 
Tirar  alguno  la  barra. 
Tirar  la  barra. 
Tira  y  afloja. 

Tirar  las  riendas. 

Tirar  á  la  mar. 

Tirar  sueldo. 

Tire  V.  este  camino. 

Tire  V.  á  la  derecha. 

Tirar  un  periódico. 

Á  todo  tirar,  ó  á  mas  tirar. 

Tirarse  de  una  oreja  y  no  alcanzarse 

la  otra. 
No  tirar,  ó  ir  á  ninguna  banda. 
El  enfermo  va  tirando. 


The  open  door  tempts  the  saint. 

To  hesitate  before  saying  or  doing 
a  thing. 

To  use  evasions  ;  to  hesitate. 

To  dye  in  the  yarn. 

To  cross  the  breed. 

To  cut  one's  face  across. 

To  strike  with  a  stick. 

To  be  very  severe. 

He  who  is  not  prepared  for  all  emer- 
gencies may  con"ke  to  grief. 

To  set  up  the  shrouds  (nau.). 

To  haul  taut  a  rope  (nau.). 

To  ruin  a  person  or  thing. 

To  endeavor  to  destroy  or  injure 
person. 

To  throw  one's  self  on  the  ground. 

To  fire  a  gun. 

To  fire  at  random. 

To  warn  one  of  danger. 

To  draw  the  sword. 

To  be  extravagant  in  word  or  deed  ; 
to  spend  lavishly. 

To  spend  extravagantly. 

To  kick  ;  to  rebel. 

To  be  insane. 

To  sell  as  dearly  as  possible. 

To  try  to  obtain  something. 

Blowing   hot  and   blowing   cold   (a 
boy's  play). 

To  draw  back  ;  to  restrain. 

To  throw  overboard. 

To  draw  a  salary. 

Take  this  road. 

Turn  to  the  right. 

To  print  a  newspaper. 

To  the  utmost ;  at  most. 

To  be  in  great  doubt ;   to  be  disap- 
pointed. 

Not  to  make  any  difference. 

The  invalid  is  pullmg  througn. 


SFA.VIS/I  IDIOMS. 


241 


Tirar  á  uno  de  la  capa. 
Tirar  á  ventajia  señakuia. 

Tirarse  los  bonetes. 

Tirar  á  dos  chitas. 

La  cabra  siempre  tira  al  monte. 

Tirar  al  vuelo. 

Tiramollar  las  amarras  y  escotas. 

Tiramollar  un  aparejo. 
Tocar  de  cerca  algún  asunto. 

Tocar  de  cerca  alguna  cosa. 
Tocar  de  cerca. 
Tocar  en  lo  vivo. 

Lo  que  te  ha  tocado  por  suerte,  no 

lo  tengas  por  fuerte. 
Tocar  á  la  puerta. 
No  tocar  pelota. 

Tocar  ó  zurrar  la  pámpana. 

Tocar  la  solfa  á  alguno. 

Tocar  en  una  tecla. 

Tocar  á  laudes. 

Tocar  ó  cantar  á  primera  vista. 

Tocar  el  mochuelo  á  alguno. 

Tocar  á  alguno. 

Tocar  á  vuelo  las  campanas. 

Tocar  á  rebato. 
Tocar  á  Sánctus. 

Tocarle  á  uno  la  china. 

Tocar  de  oro. 

Tocar  en  lo  vivo. 

Tocar  á  alguno  en  la  herida. 

No  tocar  al  pelo  de  la  ropa. 
Al  hijo  del  rico  no  le  toques  el  ves- 
tido. 


To  warn  a  person  lest  he  fall. 

To  hint ;  to  indicate  by  hints  of 
whom  we  speak. 

To  argue  or  dispute  obstinately. 

To  have  two  strings  to  one's  bow. 

A  man's  acts  show  whaf  he  is. 

To  shoot  a  bird  on  the  wing. 

To  overhaul  the  sheets  and  tacks 
(nau.). 

To  overhaul  the  tackle  (nau.). 

To  have  a  complete  knowledge  of  a 
subject. 

To  be  interested  or  concerned. 

To  be  nearly  related. 

To  hurt  one's  feelings  ;  to  wound  to 
the  quick. 

One  has  no  right  to  pride  one's  self 
on  good  luck. 

To  rap  at  the  door. 

Not  to  touch  the  root  of  the  diffi- 
culty. 

To  threaten  chastisement. 

To  cudgel  or  flog  one. 

To  move  cautiously  in  any  business. 

To  praise  one's  self. 

To  play  or  sing  at  sight. 

Always  to  get  the  worst  of  a  thing. 

To  tempt ;  to  stimulate. 

To  ring  a  peal  of  bells  simultane- 
ously. 

To  sound  the  tocsin. 

To  ring  the  bell  at  mass,  before  the 
canon. 

To  fall  to  one's  lot. 

To  gild  (in  architecture). 

To  hurt  one's  feelings. 

To  touch  upon  a  subject  about  which 
one  is  very  sensitive. 

To  do  no  injury  at  all. 

The  rich  are  impatient  of  obstacles. 


242 


SPANISH  IDIOMS 


No  tocar  pito. 

Tocar  pieza. 

Tocar  generala,  ó  á  las  armas. 

Tocar  la  diana. 
Tocar  á  degüello. 
Tocar  la  retirada. 
Tocar  en  un  puerto. 
Tocar  á  mudar  la  guardia. 

Tocar  á  la  bomba. 

Las  velas  tocan. 

El  barco  ha  tocado. 

Tomar  á  pechos. 

Tomar  partido  por  .  .  . 

Tomar  fuerzas. 

Tomar  de  cabeza,  ó  de  memoria. 

Tomar  acuerdos. 

Tomar  la  borla. 

Tomar  el  pulso. 

Tomar  á  pulso. 

Tomar  el  paso  ;  ó  el  portante. 

No  tomar  en  boca  ;  ó  en  la  boca. 

Tomarse  la  licencia. 
Tomar  la  mañana. 
Tomar  de  atrás  el  agua. 

Tomar  las  aguas. 

i  Le  tomo  á  V.  la  palabra  ! 

Tomar  la  manta. 

Tomar  á  alguno  las  medidas. 

Tomar  la  muerte  á  alguno. 

Tomar  ó  coger  la  ocasión  por  los 
cabellos. 

Tomar  el  asiento,  el  lugar,  la  dere- 
cha. 

Tomar  las  cosas  con  rigor. 


Not  to  have  a  share  in  a  thing. 

To  discuss  a  subject. 

A  beat  of  the  drum  which  calls  to 
arms  (mil.). 

To  beat  the  reveille  (mil.). 

To  give  the  signal  for  attack  (mil.). 

To  sound  a  retreat  (mil.). 

To  touch  at  a  port  (nau.). 

To  strike  the  bell  for  changing  watch 
(nau.). 

To  strike  the  bell  for  pumping  ship 
(nau.). 

The  sails  are  filling  (nau.). 

The  ship  has  struck  aground  (nau.). 

To  take  to  heart. 

To  take  part  with  .  .  . 

To  gather  strength. 

To  learn  by  heart. 

To  reflect,  deliberate. 

To  take  a  doctor's  degree. 

To  feel  the  pulse  ;  to  sound  a  per- 
son artfully. 

To  judge  of  weight  by  lifting. 

To  walk  fast ;  to  stride. 

Not  to  mention  a  thing  ;  not  to  mur- 
mur, or  slander. 

To  take  the  liberty  of  doing. 

To  rise  very  early. 

To  begin  to  tell  a  thing  from  the 
very  beginning. 

To  cover  a  building  during  its  con- 
struction. 

I  take  you  at  your  word  ! 

To  undergo  salivation. 

To  form  an  opinion  of  one. 

To  die  a  natural  death. 

To  take  time  by  the  forelock. 

To  take  the  post  of  honor  ;  to  show 

one's  authority. 
To  take  literally  ;  to  follow  the  letter. 


1 


Sr.lX/S//  IDIOMS. 


2^3 


Mas  vale  un  toma  (jue  dos  te  daré. 

Tomar  la  voz. 

Tomar  lengua,  voz,  ó  señas. 

Tomar  la  lección. 

Tomar  por  escrito. 

Tomar  el  chorrillo. 

Tomar  el  cielo  con  las  manos. 

Tomar  pié. 

Tomar  aires. 
Tomar  el  aire. 
Tomar  el  fresco. 
Tomar  el  sol. 
Tomar  pipa. 
Tomar  la  puerta. 

Tomar  el  trote. 
Tomar  el  aire  á  una  res. 
Tomar  las  de  Villadiego. 

Tomar  huelga. 
Tomarle  á  uno  el  sueño. 
Tomar  estado. 

Tomar  su  puesto.   . 

Tomar  partido. 

Tomar  el  partido  de  .  .  . 

Tomar  á  cuestas,  ó  sobre  si. 
Tomar  una  obra. 
Tomar  prestado. 
Tomar  perfiles. 

Tomarlo  por  oficio. 

Tomar  de  mas  alto  alguna  cosa. 

Tomar  las  duras  con  las  maduras. 
Tomar  cuerpo. 
Tomar  entre  manos. 


A  bird  in  the  hand  is  worth  two  in 

the  bush. 
To  continue  a  subject. 
To  seek  information. 
To  hear  a  recitation. 
To  make  a  note  of  a  thing. 
To  fall  into  a  habit. 
To  be  transported  with  joy,  grief,  or 

anger. 
To  take  root  in  a  place  ;  to  estab- 
lish one's  self. 
To  rusticate. 
To  take  a  walk. 
To  take  the  air. 

To  expose  one's  self  to  the  sun. 
To  take  one's  hat  and  go  away. 
To    get    away ;  to    go    out    of    the 

house  ;  to  be  off. 
To  run  away. 

To  follow  the  scent  (said  of  dogs). 
To   make   a    precipitate    flight    or 

escape. 
To  pant ;  to  stop  for  rest. 
To  be  overcome  by  sleep. 
To    change     one's    condition ;     to 

marry ;   or  become  a  clergyman. 
To  take  one's  stand. 
To  join  a  party  ;  to  take  a  resolution. 
To  take  the  part  of  ... ;  to  make 

up  one's  mind. 
To  take  charge  of  .  .  . 
To  take  charge  of  a  work. 
To  borrow. 
To    trace   a   drawing ;    to   make  an 

outline. 
To  do  a  thing  frequently. 
To   get  nearer  to   the  bottom  of  a 

thing. 
To  take  things  as  they  come. 
To  augment  or  increase. 
To  take  in  hand. 


244 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Se  tomaron  las  manos. 

Tomar  cuentas. 
Tomar  á  cuenta. 
Tomar  á  pechos. 

Tomar  á  alguno  las  medidas. 
Tomar  color  las  frutas. 
Tomar  calor. 

Tomarse  la  muerte  ó  el  mal  por  su 

mano. 
Tomarse  con  Dios. 

Tomar  las  armas. 

Tomar  las  armas  contra  alguno. 

Tomar  algo  por  donde  quema. 

Tomar  mujer. 

Toma  casa  con  hogar,  y  mujer  que 
sepa  hilar. 

Tomar  asa  ó  asillas  de  alguna  cosa. 

Tomar  conocimiento  de  .  .  . 
Tomar  algo  por  distribución. 
Tomar  un  número  de  otro. 

Tomar  la  delantera. 

Tomarse  la  muerte  ó  el  mal  por  su 

mano. 
Tomar  el  rábano  por  las  hojas. 
Tomar  tiempo. 
Tomar  el  hilo. 

Tomar  la  taba. 

Tomar  consejo,  dictamen,  ó  parecer. 

Tomar  algo  por  conocido. 

Tomar  la  medida. 

Tomar  el  medio,  ó  los  medios. 


They  took  hold  of  each  other's 
hands. 

To  examine  accounts. 

To  take  something  on  account. 

To  undertake  a  thing  with  too  much 
zeal. 

To  form  an  opinion  of  a  person. 

To  ripen. 

To  become  warm  ;  to  push  an  affair 
warmly. 

To  imperil  one's  life,  health,  or  wel- 
fare against  good  advice. 

To  persist  in  wrong-doing,  without 
fear  of  God. 

To  take  up  arms  (mil.). 

To  declare  one's  self  against  another. 

To  take  anything  in  the  worst  sense  \ 
to  misconstrue. 

To  marry. 

A  cheerful  hearth  and  a  thrifty  wife 
make  health  and  wealth  and  a 
happy  life. 

To  seize  a  pretext  for  doing  some- 
thing. 

To  take  cognizance  of .  .  . 

To  act  from  habit  or  custom. 

To  subtract  one  number  from  an- 
other. 

To  excel  another. 

To  injure  one's  self. 

To  put  the  cart  before  the  horse. 

To  procrastinate. 

To  resume  the  discourse ;   to  take 

up  the  thread. 
To  give  loose  to  one's  tongue. 
To  consult  with  another ;  to    take 

advice. 
To  take  a  thing  for  granted. 
To  measure. 
To  take  measures. 


SFAA7SII  IDIOMS. 


245 


Tomar  plática. 

Tomar  figura,  ó  traza. 

Tomar  temor. 

Tomar  por  sorpresa. 

Tomar  el  velo. 

Árbol  de  buen  natío,  toma  un  palmo 

y  paga  cinco. 
Tomar  á  merced  ¿í  alguno. 
Tomar  razón. 
Tomar  de  mas  alto  una  historia. 

Tomar  ó  salir  á  la  demanda. 
Tomar  el  trabajo,  ó  tanto  trabajo. 

Tomar  una  cosa  á  prueba. 

Tomarse  con  alguno. 

Tomar  mosca. 

Tomar  á   uno    entre    cejas,  ó    entre 

dientes. 
Tomar  ó  traer  á  uno  entre  dientes. 
Tomar  rabia,  ó  cólera. 
Tomarse  de  cólera. 
Tomar  tema. 
Tomar  satisfacción. 
Tomar  la  estrella. 

Tomar  viento. 

Tomar  rizos. 

Tomar  rizos  en  la  mesana. 

Tomar  puerto. 

Tomar  por  avante. 

Tomar  tierra. 

La  dificultad  topa  en  esto. 

¡  Tope  donde  tope  ! 

Topaste  en  la  silla,  por  acá  tia. 

Torcer  las  narices. 

Torcer  la  llave. 

Torcer  la  cabeza. 

Torcer,  trocar,  ó  mudar  las  palabras. 


To  obtain  practice. 

To  impersonate  ;  to  feign. 

To  become  afraid. 

To  surprise  ;  to  take  unawares. 

To  become  a  nun. 

A  good  tree  occupies  little  land,  and 
is  very  \-aluable. 

To  take  pity  on  a  person. 

To  register  ;  to  take  a  memorandum. 

To  tell  the  story  of  a  thing  from  its 
very  beginning. 

To  take  up  the  defence  of  another. 

To  take  trouble  for  the  sake  of  help- 
ing another. 

To  take  a  thing  on  trial. 

To  pick  a  quarrel  with  one. 

To  take  offence. 

To  take  a  dislike  to  a  person. 

To  bear  ill  will  toward  a  person. 

To  become  angry. 

To  fly  into  a  passion. 

To  become  angry  ;  to  bear  malice. 

To  obtain  satisfaction,  revenge. 

To  take  an  observation  of  the  stars 

(nau.). 
To  trim  the  sails  to  the  wind  (nau.). 
To  take  in  reefs  (nau.). 
To  balance  the  mizzen  (nau.). 
To  get  into  port  (nau.). 
To  work  to  windward  (nau.). 
To  make  the  land  (nau.). 
The  difficulty  consists  in  this. 
Strike  where  it  may  ! 
Either  avoid  peril,  or  meet  it  bravely. 
To   turn  up   the    nose  ;    to   express 

disgust. 
To  turn  the  key  ;  to  lock. 
To  get  sick. 
To  distort  the  meaning  of  another's 

words. 


246 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Tornar  cabeza  á  alguna  cosa. 
Tornar  por  .  .  . 

A  torna  peón,  ó  á  torna  yunta. 
Tornarse    ó  volverse    el    sueño    del 

perro,  ó  volverse  el  sueño  al  revés. 
Tornar  ó  volver  las  espaldas. 
Trabajar  atrozmente. 
Trabajar  un  caballo. 
La  ventura  de  la  barca,  á  la  mocedad 

trabajada,  y  á  la  vejez  quemada. 
Trabajar  por  la  arboladura. 

Trabar  ejecución. 
Trabarse  de  palabras. 
Trabar  conocimiento. 
Trabar  conversación. 
Trabar  amistad. 
Trabarse  la  lengua. 

Trabar  plática. 
Trabar  batalla. 
El  buey  traba  el  arado,  mas  no  de 

su  grado. 
Traer  á  la  mano. 
Traer  una  cosa  entre  manos. 
Traer  al  ojo  alguna  cosa. 


Traer  entre  ojos. 

Traer  una  cosa  escrita  en  la  frente. 

Traer  la  barba  sobre  el  hombro. 
Traer  delante. 

Traer  consigo. 

Tráigalo  V.  consigo. 

Traer  medias  de  seda. 

Traer  á  alguno  de  aquí  para  allí,  ó  de 

acá  para  allá. 
¿  Que  aires  le  traen  á  V.  por  acá  ? 


To  consider  ;  to  be  attentive. 
To  defend ;  to  protect. 
Mutually  and  reciprocally. 
To  fail  of  success   after  much   en- 
deavor. 
To  turn  a  cold  shoulder. 
To  work  to  excess. 
To  train  a  horse. 
Unfortunate  from  beginning  to  end. 

The  straining  of  the  rigging  in  a 
storm  (nau.). 

To  distrain  ;  to  seize  judicially. 

To  become  angry  in  a  dispute. 

To  scrape  acquaintance. 

To  engage  in  conversation. 

To  become  friends. 

To  stammer ;  to  speak  with  hesita- 
tion. 

To  chatter  together. 

To  combat  or  fight. 

Work  is  not  always  pleasure. 

To  fetch  or  carry. 

To  have  something  in  hand. 

To  keep  a  thing  carefully  in  sight  ; 

to    impress   a   thing   upon   one's 

mind. 
To  watch   a   person  whom   we    do 

not  trust. 
To  show  one's  feelings  or  thoughts 

in  one's  face. 
To  be  alert,  watchful,  careful. 
To  have  a  person  or  thing  on  one's 

mind. 
To  carry  along  with  one. 
Bring  him  with  you. 
To  wear  silk  stockings. 
To  keep  one  in  continual  motion. 

What  good  wind  brings  you  here  ? 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


247 


Traer  ú  cuento. 

Traer  á  consecuencia. 

El  año  de  la  sierra,  no  le  traiga  Dios 

á  la  tierra. 
Buena  vida,  arrugas  trae. 

Traer  un  pleito  con  alguno. 

Traer    malas    cartas ;    ó    venir    con 

malas  cartas. 
Traer  autoridades. 

Traer  siempre  en  la  boca  alguna  cosa. 
Traer  en  bocas  ó  lenguas. 
Traer  á  mal  traer. 
Traer  y  llevar  cuentos. 
Traer  el  redopelo. 

Traer  á  la  melena. 

Traer  á  uno  al  retortero. 

Traer  bien  la  espada. 

Traer  ó  tener  la  cuerda  tirante. 

Traer  perdido  á  alguno. 

Tragar  el  anzuelo,  ó  la  pildora. 

Trasquilar  á  cruces. 

Tratar  con  Dios. 

Tratar  verdad. 

Tratarse  como  unas  verduleras. 

Tratar  en  grueso  ;  ó  vender  por  mayor. 

Tratar  en  alguna  rama  de  comercio. 

Tratar  con  alguno. 

Tratar  de  hacer  alguna  cosa. 

Tratarse  como  cuerpo  de  rey. 

Tratar  como  cuerpo  del  rey. 

Tratar  á  baqueta  á  alguno. 

Tartar  á  uno  como  un  perro. 

Por  aqui  trastejan. 

Trincar  los  cabos. 
Trincar  las  puertas. 


To  turn  the  conversation  to  a  desired 

point. 
To  place  a  thing  to  advantage  ;  to 

say  something  pertinent. 
The  season  which   is  good  for   the 

hills  is  bad  for  the  valleys. 
Those   who    live    comfortably    live 

long. 
To  have  a  lawsuit  against  any  one. 
To   be  without  documents  needful 

to  assert  a  claim. 
To  cite  authority. 

To  be  always  harping  on  something. 
To  censure,  or  speak  ill  of  a  person. 
To  distrust,  trouble,  vex. 
To  be  a  tale-bearer. 
To  vex ;  to   treat  with    scant  cere- 
mony. 
To  compel  one   to  act  against  his 

will. 
To  distress  one  by  overwork. 
To  handle  the  sword  dexterously. 
To  use  too  much  rigor. 
To  be  the  ruin  of  a  person. 
To  allow  one's  self  to  be  deceived. 
To  cut  the  hair  unevenly. 
To  meditate  ;  to  pray. 
To  be  truthful. 
To  use  billingsgate. 
To  deal  by  wholesale. 
To  deal  in  any  branch  of  commerce. 
To  have  intercourse  with  one. 
To  be  resolved  upon  doing  a  thing. 
To  indulge  in  selfish  luxuries. 
To  treat  a  person  particularly  well. 
To  treat  one  severely  or  disdainfully. 
To  treat  a  person  like  a  dog. 
He    must   be    concealed  hereabout 

(debtors  avoiding  their  creditors). 
To  bend  the  cables  (nau.). 
To  bar  in  the  portlids  (nau.). 


248 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Trocar  los  frenos. 

El  pleito  le  acabó  de  tronar  comple- 
tamente. 
Tropezar  en  una  china. 

Tropezar  en  un  garbanzo. 

Tropecé  y  di  un  baquetazo. 

Sin  tropezar  en  barras. 

Tropezar  en  las  erres. 

Untar  ó  lavar  el  casco,  ó  los  cascos 
á  una. 

Untar  el  carro,  ó  las  manos. 

Usar  de  su  derecho. 

Usar  de  ardides. 

Vaciar  el  costal. 

Vaciarse  como  costal. 

¡  Válgame  Dios  ! 

¡  Válgate  Dios  ! 

¡  Vale  Dios  ! 

Mas  vale  vergüenza  en  cara  que  man- 
cilla en  corazón. 

Mas  vale  mancha  en  la  frente,  que 
mancilla  en  el  corazón. 

Vale  la  pena  de  .  .  . 

Valga  lo  que  valiere. 

Vale  lo  que  pesa. 

Fulano  vale  por  muchos. 

Vale  tanto  como  plata. 

Eso  vale  tanto  como  decir  .  .  . 

Valer  un  ojo  de  la  cara. 

Mas  vale,  ó  mas  valiera  si  .  .  . 

En  el  campo  de  Barahona  mas  vale 

mala  capa  que  buena  azcona. 
Hacer  valer. 
Eso  vale  su  precio. 
¿  A  como  vale  la  fanega ? 
No  vale  nada  fuera  de  la  crisma. 
No  vale  sus  orejas  llenas  de  agua. 


To  displace  things. 

The  lawsuit  ruined  him  completely. 

To    stumble    over   pebbles    (to   be 

easily  thwarted). 
To  make  mountains  of  molehills. 
I  tripped,  and  fell  violently. 
Inconsiderably. 
To  be  intoxicated. 
To  flatter  a  person. 

To  bribe. 

To  exercise  one's  own  right. 

To  act  in  an  underhand  way. 

To  give  vent  to  one's  feelings. 

To  talk  too  much. 

Good  God  !  bless  me  ! 

God  preserve  you  ! 

Fortunately. 

Better  the  shame  of  confessing  than 

remorse  in  concealing. 
Better  be  ugly  and  good,  rather  than 

handsome  and  bad. 
To  be  worth  the    trouble    of  .  .  . ; 

worth  while. 
Happen  what  may  ;  come  what  will. 
He  is  worth  his  weight  in  gold. 
Such  an  one  has  much  money. 
To  be  worth  its  weight  in  silver. 
That  is  as  much  as  to  say  .  .  . 
To  be  as  precious  as  the  apple  of 

one's  eye. 
It  is  better,  or  it  would  be  better, 

if  .  .  . 
We  must  be  judicious  in  the  use  of 

what  we  have. 
To  give  authority,  or  support. 
It  is  worth  its  price. 
What  is  it  worth  per  bushel? 
He  is  a  worthless  fellow. 
He  is  a  good-for-nothing. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


249 


No  valer  un  diablo. 

No  poderse  valer  con  alguno. 
No  poderse  valer. 

Eso  no  vale  gran  cosa. 

No  vale  una  chita ;  ó  no  se  me  da 

dos  chitas. 
Vale  menos  que  una  vedija  de  lana. 
No  vale  un  cornado,  ó  un  ardite. 
No  vale  un  bledo,  ó  un  pito. 
No  vale  nada. 

No  importa,  no  vale  un  caracol. 
Velar  las  armas. 
Velar  las  escotas. 
Á  mi  que  las  vendo. 

El  que  nos  \endió  el  galgo. 

No  vendas  la  piel  del  oso,  antes  de 
haberlo  muerto. 


Vender  cara  la  vida. 

Vender  juncias. 

Vender  humos. 

Vender  palabras  ó  amistad. 
Vender  alguna  noticia,  ó  nueva. 
De  fuera  vendrá  quien  de  casa  nos 

echará. 
Vender  gato  por  liebre. 

Vender  al  contado. 
A  la  vuelta  •  ó  á  la  vuelta  lo  venden 
tinto. 

Vender  á  plazo. 
Vender  por  mayor. 


To  be  very  despicable  ;    not  worth 

an  execration. 
Not  to  be  able  to  manage  a  person. 
Not  to  know  how  to  help  one's  self ; 

to  be  incapable. 
That  is  good  for  little. 
I  do  not  care  a  straw. 

It  is  not  worth  a  shred  of  wool. 

It  is  not  worth  a  farthing,  or  a  doit. 

It  is  not  worth  a  rush. 

It  is  good  for  nothing. 

It  is  quite  worthless. 

To  watch  by  one's  arms. 

To  stand  by  the  sheets  (nau.). 

There  is  no  deceiving  those  who 
know. 

He  who  sold  us  the  dog  {i.e.,  the 
very  man  we  spoke  of). 

Do  not  sell  the  bear's  skin  till  you 
have  killed  him ;  do  not  count 
your  chickens  before  they  are 
hatched. 

To  sell  one's  life  dearly ;  to  fight 
desperately. 

To  be  ostentatious  ;  to  boast  of  what 
one  has  not. 

To  sell  smoke  (to  trade  on  pre- 
tended influence). 

To  deceive  by  fair  words. 

To  tell  a  piece  of  news. 

To  assume  authority  in  another  per- 
son's house. 

To  sell  a  cat  for  a  hare  (to  deceive 
in  the  quality  of  a  thing  sold). 

To  sell  for  cash. 

Go  where  they  will  believe  you 
(expression  of  denial  or  incre- 
dulity). 

To  sell  on  credit. 

To  sell  at  wholesale. 


250 


SPAAVSH  IDIOMS. 


Vender  al  pormenor,  ó  á  destajo. 

Vender  bien  sus  agujetas. 

El  buen  paño  en  el  arca  se  vende. 


Vender  hasta  la  camisa. 
Vender  al  quitar. 

Vender  al  ramo. 

Venderse  barato. 

Venderse  caro. 

Vender  á  una  persona. 

Vender  salud. 

Venir  clavada,  ó  pintada,  una  cosa 

á  otra. 
Me  viene  de  molde. 
Esa  chaqueta  no  me  viene. 
Á  quien  le  venga  el  guante,  que  se  lo 

plante. 
No  viene  el  son  con  la  castañeta. 

Venirse  á  los  ojos. 

Vengamos  al  caso. 

El  mal  viene  con  malos  aparatos. 

De  Dios  te  venga  el  remedio. 

Venir  á  menos. 

Cosas  que  van  y  vienen. 

Venirse  durmiendo. 

Venirse  á  buenas. 

Tras  los  años  viene  el  seso. 

De  mis  viñas  vengo. 

Con  quien  vengo,  vengo. 
Bien  vengas  mal,  si  vienes  solo. 
Venga  lo  que  viniere. 
I A  que  viene  eso  ? 

Venir  pié  con  bola. 
Vengo  en  ello. 
Si  á  mano  viene. 


To  sell  at  retail. 

To  sell  at  a  good  profit. 

Good  cloth  is  sold  while  still  in  the 
case ;  valuable  goods  require  no 
puffs. 

To  sell  everything. 

To  sell  with  the  privilege  of  repur- 
chase. 

To  retail  wine. 

To  make  one's  self  cheap. 

To  be  difficult  of  access. 

To  betray  a  person. 

To  be  or  appear  very  robust. 

To  suit  or  fit  exactly. 

It  fits  me  like  a  glove. 
This  jacket  does  not  fit  me. 
If  the  cap  fits,  put  it  on. 

The  castanets  do  not  click  (said  of 

persons  or  things  not  agreeing). 
To  show  in  one's  eyes  ;  to  betray  by 

one's  glances. 
Let  us  come  to  the  point. 
The  patient  shows  bad  symptoms. 
God  only  can  cure  you. 
To  decay  ;  to  decline. 
Things  which  wax  and  wane. 
To  be  falling  asleep. 
To  yield  ;  to  submit. 
Experience  will  bring  wisdom. 
I  come  from   my  vineyards   {i.e.,  I 

had  no  hand  in  the  affair). 
I  am  constant  to  my  friend. 
Misfortunes  seldom  come  singly. 
Come  what  will ;  happen  what  may. 
To   what   purpose    is   that?     What 

does  it  amount  to  ? 
Neither  too  much  nor  too  little. 
I  agree  to  that. 
Perhaps. 


SPAiVISH  IDIOMS. 


251 


I 


Venir  á  la  romana. 

En  cuanto  venga  Pedro. 

Venir  en  un  tris. 

Venir  de  perilla. 

Venir  á  pelo. 

Viene  como  pedrada  en  ojo  de  boti- 
cario. 

Venir  á  deshora. 

Si  no  vinieres. 

Tras  de  venir  tarde  .  .  . 

Ya  que  has  venido. 

Fulano  vino  de  antuvión, 

Á  cargas  le  vienen  los  regalos. 

Como  se  viene  se  va. 

Venir  angosto. 

Venir  el  cuervo. 

Venir,  ó  estar,  con  las  manos  en  el 
seno. 

Venirle  á  uno  á  la  mano  alguna 
cosa. 

Vino  á  conseguir  la  plaza. 

Venir  rodado. 

Venirse  la  caza  á  las  manos. 

Venir  con  sus  manos  lavadas. 

Venir  de  falsete. 

Venir  alguno  contra  su  palabra,  ó 
embargarse  de  su  palabra. 

El  se  mete  en  lo  que  no  le  va,  ni  lo 
viene. 

Venirse  abajo. 

Venir  á  las  manos. 

Venir  muy  ancho. 

Cuando  viene  el  bien,  mételo  en  tu 
casa. 

Venir  en  conocimiento. 

Venir  en  corazón. 

Venirse  con  buena  música. 

Venir  con  mal  recado. 

Malo  vendrá  que  bueno  me  hará. 


To  be  of  just  weight. 
As  soon  as  Peter  comes. 
To  come  in  an  instant. 
To  come  in  the  nick  of  time. 
To  come  just  at  the  right  time. 
To  come  inopportunely ;  to  be  un- 
welcome. 
To  arri\e  at  an  awkward  time. 
If  you  do  not  come. 
Besides  coming  late  .  .  . 
Since  you  are  here. 
Such  an  one  came  unexpectedly. 
He  receives  gifts  in  great  numbers. 
Lightly  come,  lightly  go. 
To  fall  short  of  one's  expectations. 
To  receive  repeated  relief  or  succor. 
To  be  idle  ;  to  have  nothing  to  do. 

To  get  something  without  exertion. 

He  obtained  the  place. 

To  attain  an  object  accidentally. 

To  obtain  unexpected  advantages. 

To  usurp  the  fruit  of  another's  labor. 

To  act  treacherously. 

To  break  one's  promise. 

He  meddles  in  what  does  not  con- 
cern him. 

To  ruin  one's  self. 

To  come  to  blows. 

To  be  in  abundance. 

When  good  fortune  knocks,  make 
haste  to  let  her  in. 

To  acquire  some  knowledge  of  ... ; 
to  become  acquainted  with  .  .  . 

To  wish  ;  to  desire. 

To  make  an  impertinent  request. 

To  bring  an  unfavorable  answer. 

We  are  ready  to  complain  of  trifles 
till  we  see  what  real  trouble  is. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Lo  que  no  viene  á  la  boda,  no  viene 
a  toda  hora. 

Al  llamado  del  que  le  piensa,  viene 
el  buey  á  la  melena. 

De  Dios  viene  el  bien,  y  de  las  abe- 
jas la  miel. 

De  aquellos  polvos  vienen  estos 
lodos. 

Venirse  á  la  boca. 

El  vino  se  vuelve. 

De  fuera  vendrá  quien  de  casa  nos 
echará. 

Venir  contra  alguna  ley  ó  precepto. 

Venirse  el  cielo  abajo. 

Tiempo  tras  tiempo  viene. 

Venirse  al  suelo. 

Ventar  bramando. 

^^entar  á  rachas. 

Ventear  muy  fresco  del  nordoeste. 

A  Dios  y  veamonos  ! 
Dios  ve  las  trampas  ! 
Ya  se  ve  !  ¡  ya  entiendo  ! 
Verse  entre,  ó  en  las  astas  del  toro. 


Ver  las  orejas  del  lobo. 

Ver  el  pleito  mal  parado. 

Verse  entre  la  espada  y  la  pared. 

Si  te  vi,  ya  no  me  acuerdo. 

¡  Á  mas  ver  ! 

¡  A  ver  ! 

Al  ver. 

A  mi  ver. 

Dar  á  ver. 

No  ver  siete  sobre  un  asno. 

No  ver  gota. 


Ver  por  vista  de  ojos. 


Secure  the  dower  before  the  mar- 
riage takes  place. 

It  is  easy  to  obey  those  who  are 
kind  to  us. 

The  blessing  is  from  God,  through 
whatever  means  it  may  come. 

Present  sufferings  are  the  result  of 
past  errors. 

To  taste  unpleasantly. 

The  wine  turns  sour. 

One  should  not  assume  authority  in 
the  house  of  another. 

To  break  or  transgress  a  law  or  rule. 

To  rain  very  heavily. 

Do  not  despair ;  times  will  change. 

To  fall  to  the  ground. 

To  blow  furiously. 

To  blow  in  gusts. 

It  blows  very  fresh  from  the  north- 
west. 

Farewell  !  we  shall  meet  again. 

God  sees  the  fraud  !  (a  warning). 

Yes,  forsooth  !    I  understand  ! 

To  find  one's  self  between  the  horns 
of  the  bull ;  to  be  in  the  greatest 
danger. 

To  see  the  ears  of  the  wolf;  to  be 
in  great  danger. 

To  see  a  thing  in  great  danger. 

To  be  surrounded  by  danger,  cor- 
nered, driven  to  the  wall. 

Out  of  sight,  out  of  mind. 

Farewell ! 

Let  us  see  !  is  it  not  so  ? 

At  sight. 

In  my  opinion. 

To  show  anything. 

To  be  short-sighted. 

To  be  very  short-sighted ;  to  lack 
sufficient  light  for  seeing. 

To  see  with  one's  own  eyes. 


SFANISIJ  IDIOMS. 


253 


Ve  mas  que  un  águila. 

No  ve  pizca. 

Ver  con  muchos  ojos. 

El  amor  y  la  fé  en  las  obras  se  ve. 

Ver  venir. 

Es  de  ver  ;  ó  es  para  ver. 

Verse  negro. 

V.  le  verá  despabilarse. 
No  bien  la  vio. 
Ver  tierra  ;  ver  mundo. 
Ver  el  cielo  por  embudo. 

Ver  el  juego  mal  parado. 

Ver  y  creer. 

Verse  pobre. 

Ver  á  hurtadillas. 

Ya  te  veo,  besugo,  que  tienes  el  ojo 

claro. 
Por  atún  y  ver  al  duque. 
Hacer  ver  á  uno  las  estrellas. 
No  poder  ver  á  alguno. 
No  verse  de  polvo. 
Verse  con  algimo. 

¡  Ya  nos  veremos  las  caras  ! 

Ojos  que  le  vieron  ir,  no  le  verán 

venir. 
i  Al  aleluya  nos  veremos  ! 
Verse  y  desearse. 

Ver  visiones. 

No  te  verás  en  ese  espejo. 

Verse  alguno  en  calzas  prietas. 

Verse  en  ello. 

Ver  el  cielo  abierto. 

Ver  el  pleito. 

Ver  el  pleito  mal  parado. 


He  is  eagle-eyed. 

He  cannot  see  at  all. 

To  obser\'e  very  carefully. 

Love  and  faith  show  themselves  in 

deeds. 
To  see  what  one  is  driving  at. 
It  is  worth  notice. 
To  be  afflicted,  embarrassed  ;  to  see 

through  dark  spectacles. 
You  will  see  him  brighten  up. 
He  had  scarcely  seen  her. 
To  travel ;  to  see  the  world. 
To  have  little  or  no  knowledge   of 

the  world. 
To  know  that  a  business  is  in  bad 

condition,  going  on  ill. 
To  beheve  only  what  one  sees. 
To  be  reduced  to  poverty. 
To  look  over  some  one's  shoulders. 
I  see  through  your  intention. 

To  kill  two  birds  with  one  stone. 

To  give  a  sudden,  sharp  blow. 

To  detest  any  one. 

To  have  been  grossly  insulted. 

To  have  a  crow  to  pluck  with  any 

one. 
I  have  a  bone  to  pick  with  you  ! 
An  opportunity  lost  never  returns. 

We  shall  see  ! 

To  have  a  great  difficulty  in  doing  a 
thing. 

To  build  castles  in  the  air. 

You  will  not  see  yourself  in  this  mir- 
ror (you  will  not  succeed). 

To  be  in  great  embarrassment. 

To  consider  ;  to  weigh  mentally. 

To  see  a  great  opportunity. 

To  look  into  ;  to  consider  a  case. 

To  see  the  weak  points  of  a  case. 


254 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Harina  alabada,  no  te  la  vea  suegra 

ni  cuñada. 
Hacienda,  tu  dueño  te  vea. 

Al  freir  de  los  huevos,  lo  verás. 

Año  de  brevas  nunca  le  veas. 

Cuando  la  barba  del  vecino  veas  pe- 
lar, echa  la  tuya  á  remojar. 

Vestir  bien. 

Al  que  de  ajeno  se  viste,  en  la  calle  lo 

desnudan. 
Aunque  la  mona  se  vista  de  seda, 

mona  se  queda. 
Desnudar   un   Santo    para   vestir   á 

otro. 
El  cielo  se  vistió  de  nubes. 
El  árbol  se  viste  de  hojas. 
La  primavera  viste  los  campos. 
Al  revés  me  la  vesti,  y  ándere  asi. 
Vestir  las  armas. 
Vestir  el  proceso. 

Vestirse  una  turca ;  ó  tener  una  turca. 
Vibra  sus  rayos  el  sol. 
Vincula  sus  deseos  en  el  logro  de  tal 

objecto. 
Virar  para  proa,  ó  para  popa. 
Virar  el  cabrestante. 
¡  Vira  !     i  Vira  ! 

Virar  de  bordo  tomando  por  avante. 
Virar  de  bordo  en  redondo. 
Virar  por  las  aguas  de  otro  bajel. 

Virar  el  cable. 

Virar,  ó  virada,  de  bordo. 

Visitar  los  altares. 

Vivir  bien,  que  Dios  es  Dios. 
¡  Vive  Dios  ! 


Do  not  show  your  faults  to  your 
rivals. 

It  is  wise  to  look  after  one's  own 
interests. 

You  will  regret  your  bad  deeds  when 
you  see  their  consequences. 

When  early  figs  are  abundant,  other 
crops  often  fail. 

When  you  see  your  neighbors  suffer 
from  public  calamities,  you  must 
not  expect  to  escape  yourself. 

To  be  well  dressed. 

He  who  wears  borrowed  plumes 
risks  exposure. 

Dress  a  monkey  as  you  will,  it  re- 
mains a  monkey  still. 

To  rob  Peter  to  pay  Paul. 

The  sky  was  overcast. 

The  tree  covers  itself  with  flowers. 

Spring  clothes  the  fields. 

As  I  began  this  way,  I  shall  go  on  so. 

To  arm  one's  self  for  the  fight. 

To  carry  on  a  suit  according  to  law. 

To  get  drunk. 

The  sun's  rays  quiver. 

His  desires  are  bounded  by  the  at- 
tainment of  such  an  object. 

To  heave  ahead,  or  astern  (nau.). 

To  heave  at  the  capstan  (nau.). 

Heave  cherrily  !  (nau.). 

To  work  to  windward  (nau.). 

To  stand  to  leeward  (nau.). 

To  tack  in  the  wake  of  another  ship 
(nau.). 

To  haul  taut  (nau.). 

To  tack,  or  go  about  (nau.). 

To  pray  before  each  altar  (for  some 
pious  purpose). 

Live  righteously ;  God  will  guard  you. 

God  is  my  witness  ! 


SPANIS/Í  IDIOMS. 


255 


¡  Ojalá  que  el  viva  ! 

Vivir  en  la  memoria  de  sus  concui- 

dadanos. 
Vivir  ó  proceder  con  compás. 
Vivir  de  sus  rentas. 
Vivir  y  vivamos. 
Bueno  es  vivir  para  ver. 
Vive  como  un  patriarca. 
Si    quieres    vivir   sano,    hazte    viejo 

temprano. 
Vivir  apresuradamente. 
Vivir  con  regalo. 
Vivir  en  grande,  ó  á  lo  grande. 
Viva  quien  \ence. 
Vivir  de  milagros. 

Vivir  rodeado  de  satisfacciones. 

¡  Viva  V.  mil  años,  o  muchos  años  ! 
Casa  en  que  vivas,  viña  de  la  que 

bebas. 
Vivir  descuidado  de  algo. 
Vive  de  su  trabajo. 
Vivir  por  sus  manos. 
Vivir  de  invenciones. 
¿  Quien  vi\"e  ? 
Vocear  á  un  bajel. 
La  burla  se  volvió  contra  él. 
Voló  el  golondrino. 

Volar  al  hilo  del  viento. 

Volar  la  mina. 

Volar  las  escotinas  de  juanetes. 

Vomitar  sangre. 
Vomitar  veneno. 
Hacer  vomitar. 
Volver  la  hoja. 

Volver  las  tornas. 
Volver  á  la  carga. 


God  grant  he  may  live  ! 

To  live  in  the  memory  of  his  fellow- 
citizens. 

To  live  or  act  discreetly. 

To  live  upon  one's  income. 

To  live  and  let  live. 

Li\e  and  learn. 

To  live  like  a  patriarch  (at  ease). 

If  you  would  be  healthful,  live  pru- 
dently while  young. 

To  live  too  fast. 

To  live  in  luxury,  in  ease,  abundance. 

To  live  luxuriously,  ostentatiously. 

To  play  the  sycophant. 

To  survive  by  a  miracle,  in  spite  of 
difficulties  or  dangers. 

To  possess  everything  one  could 
wish  for. 

I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you. 

Landed  security,  or  property,  is 
better  than  any  other. 

To  be  unprepared  for  a  thing. 

He  lives  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow. 

To  live  by  the  labor  of  one's  hands. 

To  live  by  tricks  and  cunning. 

Who  goes  there  ? 

To  hail  a  ship  (nau.). 

The  jest  rebounded  upon  himself. 

The  bird  has  flown ;  the  prisoner 
has  escaped. 

To  fly  in  the  direction  of  the  wind. 

To  spring  a  mine  (mil.). 

To  let  fly  the  top-gallant  sheets 
(nau.). 

To  boast  of  nobility  and  parentage. 

To  utter  insults  and  blasphemies. 

To  force  one  to  disclose  a  secret. 

To  turn  over  a  new  leaf ;  to  change 
one's  proceedings. 

To  return  a  favor  ;  to  compensate. 

To  return  to  the  charge  ;  to  insist. 


256 

Volverse  la  tortilla. 
Volver  á  la  senda  del  deber. 
Volver  á  las  andadas. 
Volver  lo  de  arriba  abajo. 


Volverse  la  albarda  á  la  barriga. 


Volver  las  injurias. 
Volverla  al  cuerpo. 
Le  ha  vuelto  á  coger  la  gota. 
El  barco  se  volvió  patas  arriba. 
Volver  la  cara. 
Volver  la  cara  al  enemigo. 
No  volver  la  cara  atrás. 
Volver  atrás. 
Volverse  atrás. 

Volver  á  la  cara  las  palabras  injuri- 
osas. 
Volver  á  la  cara  alguna  cosa. 
Volver  el  rostro. 
Volverla  al  cuerpo. 
Volver  pies  atrás. 

Volver  casaca. 

Mandar  volver ;  ó  hacer  volver. 

Volver  el  hopo. 

Volver  el  saludo. 

Volver  la  puerta. 

Volver  los  ojos. 


Volver  á  empezar  de  nuevo. 
El  volvió  á  hablar. 
Volver  á  coger  el  cabo. 
Volver  á  la  misma  canción. 
Volverse  loco. 

Volvérsele  la  cabeza  á  alguno. 

Hay  para  volverse  loco. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


To  turn  the  tables  or  scales. 

To  return  to  a  sense  of  one's  duties. 

To  return  to  the  same  kind  of  hfe. 

To  turn  upside  down ;  to  invert  the 
order  of  things. 

To  turn  upside  down ;  to  be  frus- 
trated in  one's  wishes  or  expecta- 
tions. 

To  return  evil  for  evil. 

To  return  injury  for  injury. 

The  gout  has  returned  upon  him. 

The  vessel  was  capsized. 

To  face  about. 

To  rally  and  face  the  enemy  again. 

To  pursue  with  spirit. 

To  come  back ;  to  return. 

To  flinch  ;  to  retract ;  to  unsay. 

To  retort ;  to  return  abusive  lan- 
guage. 

To  return  9.  thing  with  contempt. 

To  evade  ;  to  cut  an  acquaintance. 

To  revenge. 

To  withdraw  from  an  enterprise  ;  to 
nm  away. 

To  become  a  turncoat. 

To  call  one  back ;  to  recall. 

To  escape  ;  to  run  away. 

To  return  a  salute  or  bow. 

To  shut  the  door. 

To  look  to  another  for  help ;  to 
cross  the  eyes ;  to  turn  the  atten- 
tion. 

To  begin  to  speak. 

He  rejoined. 

To  resume  the  thread  of  a  discourse. 

To  tell  the  old  story. 

To  be  deranged,  crazed,  overcome 
with  joy. 

To  become  crazy,  giddy ;  to  lose 
one's  senses. 

That  would  make  one  go  mad. 


r 


SP.LVISII  IDIOMS. 


257 


Volver  á  uno  ioco. 

Volver  IT.  uno  tonto. 

Volver  en  su  acuerdo  ;  ó  volver  en  sí. 

A  un  volver  de  cabeza,  ó  á  vuelta  de 

cabeza. 
Volver  de  rabo. 
Ellos  lo  volverán  á  negar. 
Volver  ciego. 

Volverse  ciego,  sordo,  cojo. 
Volver  por  si. 
Volver  sobre  sí. 

Volver  el  alma  al  cuerpo. 

Volver  las  espaldas. 
Volverse  contra  alguno. 

Ya  no  veo  la  hora  de  volver  á  mi 

patria. 
Volver  las  nueces  al  cántaro. 


Al  cabo  de  los  años  mil,  vuelve  el 
agua  por  do  solia  ir ;  ó  torna  el 
agua  á  su  cubil. 

Á  puerta  cerrada,  el  diablo  se  vuelve. 

En  arca  de  avariento,  el  diablo  yace 

dentro. 
Zafarse  de  alguna  cosa. 
Zafarse  de  los  bajos,  ó  los  bancos. 
Zurcir  voluntades. 
Zurrar  la  badana. 
Zurrar  la  pavana. 


To  confound  one  with  arguments. 
To  turn  one's  head. 
To  recover  one's  reason. 
In  the  twinkling  of  an  eye. 

1  o  turn  out  contrary  to  expectation. 

They  will  deny  it  again. 

To  strike  blind. 

To  become  l)lind,  deaf,  lame. 

To  defend  one's  self. 

To  reflect  on  one's  self;  to  make 
up  one's  losses. 

To  regain  courage  ;  to  become  tran- 
quillized. 

To  turn  a  cold  shoulder  to  any  one. 

To  turn  against  some  one  ;  to  per- 
secute one. 

I  long  anxiously  to  return  to  my 
country. 

To  revive  a  dispute  or  argument 
supposed  to  be  already  settled ; 
to  harp  upon  a  subject. 

Time  brings  old  customs  round 
again. 

If  the  door  is  shut,  the  devil  turns 

away. 
The  devil  lurks  in  the  strong  box  of 

the  miser. 
To  get  rid  of  anything. 
To  get  clear  of  the  shoals  (nau.). 
To  unite  ;  to  join  issue. 
To  dress  a  sheepskin. 
To  inflict  personal  chastisement. 


258 


SFAiVJ^H  IDIOMS. 


IDIOMS  WITHOUT  VERBS. 


¡  Abajo  esta  ó  aquella  ley  ! 

Abatimiento  del  rumbo. 

Ablanda  breva  ;  ó  ablanda  higos. 

En  abreviatura. 

¿De  cuando  acá? 

Sin  mas  acá,  ni  mas  allá. 

Académico  de  número, 

Caro  como  aceite  de  aparicio. 
Acepción  de  personas. 
De  acuerdo. 
Acuerdos  del  reino. 

Por  adarmes. 

A  buen  adquiridor,  buen  expendedor. 

Aferramiento  de  las  velas. 

Aguas  chifles. 

De  agua  y  lana. 

Aguador  del  real. 

Agudo  como  punta  de  colchón. 

De  por  ahí. 

Ahora  bien. 

Ahora,  ahora. 

Por  ahora. 

Hasta  ahora. 

Desde  ahora. 

Aire  de  taco. 

En  el  aire. 

De  bueno  ó  mal  aire. 

Muchos  ajos  en  un  mortero,  mal  los 

maja  un  majadero. 
Como  un  ajo. 


Down  with  this  or  that  law  ! 

The  lee  way  of  the  ship  (nau.). 

A  useless  person. 

Briefly ;  expeditiously. 

Since  when? 

Without  more  ado. 

One  of  the  appointed  number  of 
academicians. 

Excessively  dear. 

Favoritism. 

Unanimously  ;  by  common  consent. 

Remonstrances  from  states  of  the 
realm. 

Very  sparingly. 

After  a  gatherer  comes  a  scatterer. 

The  furling  of  the  sails  (nau.). 

Neap  tide. 

Of  little  or  no  importance. 

A  sutler. 

As  sharp  as  the  corner  of  a  mattress 
(said  of  a  stupid  person). 

Anything  common  ;  one  who  makes 
himself  cheap. 

Well ;  granted  ;  nevertheless. 

Just  now. 

For  the  present. 

Hitherto. 

From  this  moment,  this  day. 

Graceful,  elegant  movement. 

Quickly  ;  in  an  instant. 

In  good  or  bad  humor. 

It  is  difficult  to  attend  to  many  af- 
fairs at  the  same  time. 

Like  a  garlic  (said  of  vigorous  and 
erect  persons). 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


259 


Dientes  de  ajo. 
Ajuste  de  cuentas. 
Por  alambique. 
No,  sino  al  alba. 


Albalá  de  guia. 
Albarda  sobre  albarda. 

Los  primeros  albores  del  juicio. 

Alcalde  de  primera  ó  segunda  elec- 
ción. 
Alférez  de  navio. 
Alférez  mayor. 


Con  todos  sus  alfileres. 
Alegría  secreta,  candela  muerta. 

Algodón  en  rama. 

Alguacil  de  campo,  cojo  ó  manco. 

Alguacil  descuidado,  ladrones  cada 

mercado. 
¡  Buena  alhaja  ! 

Allá  ;  en  mis  mocedades. 
Allende  del  mar. 
Su  alma  en  su  palma. 
Con  el  alma  y  la  vida. 
Alma  de  caballo. 

Alma  de  cántaro. 

¡  Alma  mia  ! 

Almud  de  tierra. 

Altar  de  alma,  ó  de  anima. 

De  lo  alto. 

Por  alto. 

i  Alto  ahí ! 


Cloves  of  garlic. 

A  liquidation  of  accounts. 

Sparingly  ;  in  a  penurious  manner. 

Nothing  but  the  dawn  (ironical  re- 
ply to  those  who  ask  what  they 
ought  to  know  already) . 

A  passport. 

Needless  repetition  in  writing  or 
speaking. 

The  first  dawnings  of  mind  (in  a 
child). 

The  senior  or  junior  judge. 

Midshipman  in  the  navy. 

The  officer  in  charge  of  the  stand- 
ard of  a  city,  on  the  occasion  of 
a  royal  visit. 

To  be  dressed  in  one's  best. 

Solitary  pleasures  are  less  than  those 
shared  with  others. 

Raw  cotton. 

Bailiffs  have  weary  work  with  poach- 
ers. 

Where  authorities  are  careless, 
thieves  abound. 

A  fine  jewel  !  (ironically  applied  to 
a  rogue  or  very  shrewd  person) . 

Formerly  ;  in  my  youth. 

Beyond  the  seas. 

Retribution  is  certain. 

With  heart  and  soul ;  most  willingly. 

One  who  commits  crimes  without 
feeling  remorse. 

A  fool. 

My  love  !  my  darling  ! 

About  half  an  acre  of  ground. 

A  privileged  altar. 

From  above  ;  from  heaven. 

By  stealth. 

Stop  ! 


260 

De  alto  á  bajo. 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Á  estas  alturas. 

Amen  de  eso. 

Amigo  viejo,  tocino  y  vino  añeje. 

Amigo  hasta  las  aras. 

De  amigo  á  amigo,  sangre  en  el  ojo. 

Amigo  del  asa. 

Vida  sin  amigo,  muerte  sin  testigo. 


Amigo  de  taza  de  vino. 
Mientras  mas  amigos,  mas  claros. 

Entre  dos  amigos  un  notario  y  dos 

testigos. 
Amor  loco,  yo  por  vos,  y  vos    por 

otro. 
Amor  de  niño,  agua  en  cestillo. 

Amor  de  asno  coz  y  bocado. 

De  los  amores  y  las  cañas,  las  en- 
tradas. 
Al  amor  de  la  lumbre. 
Á  sus  anchas. 
¡  Ancha  Castilla  ! 
Tantas  en  ancho  como  en  largo. 
Áncora  cié  la  esperanza. 
Á  largo  andar. 

Anillo  del  pescador. 

Anillo  en  dedo,  honra  sin  provecho. 

Animo  á  las  gachas. 

Cuanto  antes. 


From    head  to    foot ;    from  top  to 

bottom. 
At  this  place,  time,  or  occasion. 
Besides  that. 
Friends,  bacon,  and  wine,  the  older 

the  better. 
A  good  and  faithful  friend. 
Do  not  trust  too  readily  those  who 

call  themselves  your  friends. 
An  intimate  friend. 
Life  without  a  friend    means  death 

without    a  witness ;    friendless    in 

life,  friendless  in  death. 
A  friend  from  motives  of  interest ;  a 

sponger. 
Frankness    and    ingenuousness   are 

indispensable  between  friends. 
Regularity  in  business  relations  tends 

to  the  safety  of  friends. 
Love  is  sometimes  perverse. 

The  love  of  a  little  child  cannot  be 

very  deep. 
An  affection  which   shows    itself  in 

troublesome  ways. 
Love  is  strongest  when  young. 

Close  to  the  fire. 

At  ease  ;  at  leisure. 

Be  more  frank,  and  free  of  action. 

Completely ;  satisfactorily. 

Sheet  anchor ;  or  anchor  of  hope. 

Li  the  course  of  time  ;  in  the  long 

run. 
The    fisherman's    seal,    with   which 

papal  briefs  are  stamped. 
Do  not   spend   all   your  means  on 

vanities. 
Courage      overcomes      difficulties  1 

Try  again  ! 
As  soon  as  possible. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


26i 


De  antes. 

Antes  que  .  .  . 

De  antuvión. 

Cual  el  año,  tal  el  jarro. 

¡  Mal  año  para  alguno  ! 

En  año  caro,  harnero  espeso  y  ce- 
dazo claro. 

Entre  año. 

El  año  derecho,  el  besugo  al  sol,  y 
el  hornazo  al  fuego. 

El  año  de  cuarenta. 

Año  malo,  panadero  en  todo  cabo. 

Año  y  vez. 

Al  año  tuerto  el  huerto  ;  ó  á  buen 
año  y  malo,  molinero  ú  hortelano. 
Tiempo  apacible. 
Aparajuelos. 
Aparajuelos  de  portas. 
Aparajuelos  de  rizos,  ó  de  socaire. 
Apartador  de  ganado. 
Apartador  de  metales. 
Apartamiento  de  ganado. 
Apartamiento  meridiano. 
Aprendiz  de  todo,  oficial  de  nada. 
Aposentador  de  camino. 


Apuntador  de  comedias. 

Arañador  de  dinero. 

Arból  pagano. 

Arca  de  agua. 

Arca  de  Noé. 

Arca  cordis. 

Arca  llena  y  arca  vacia. 

Arco  Iris  del  cielo,  ó  de  San  Martin. 

Armadura  del  tejado. 

Armadura  de  una  mesa. 

Armadura  de  la  cama. 


Formerly  ;  in  olden  times. 

Rather  than  .  .  . 

Unexpectedly. 

As  the  vintage  is,  so  must  the  drink- 

ing-glasses  be. 
May  evil  come  to  him  ! 
In  bad  seasons  we  must  economize. 

In  the  course  of  the  year. 

Early  rains  for  the  farmer,  and  late 
sunshine  for  the  fisherman,  bring 
prosperity  for  both. 

The  days  of  yore. 

Short  crops  make  less  work,  but 
more  profits  for  the  bakers. 

Land  cultivated  in  alternate  years. 

In  good  years  or  in  bad,  the  garden 
and  the  mill  are  always  necessary. 

Moderate  weather. 

Small  tackle  (nau.). 

Port  tackle  (nau.). 

Reef  tackle,  or  jigger  tackle  (nau.). 

One  who  steels  sheep  or  cattle. 

One  who  sorts  ores. 

The  act  of  stealing  cattle. 

Departure, meridian  distance  (nau.). 

Jack  of  all  trades,  good  at  none. 

An  officer  of  the  royal  household 
who  goes  before  to  prepare  a  res- 
idence. 

Prompter  at  the  theatre. 

A  grasping,  covetous  person. 

A  wild  or  uncultivated  tree. 

Reservoir ;  cistern. 

Lumber  room. 

The  pericardium. 

Plenty  and  want ;  vicissitude. 

The  rainbow. 

The  frame  of  a  building. 

The  frame  of  a  table. 

A  bedstead. 


262 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Carbon  de  arranque. 

Arranque  del  caballo. 

Arreadador  de  plomo. 

Arreboles  á  todos  cabos,  tiempo  de 

los  diablos. 
Arrendador  del  plomo. 
Arroz  y  gallo  muerto. 
Por  arte  del  diablo. 
Por  arte  de  birle-birloque. 
Arterias  de  la  madera. 

Áspera  arteria,  ó  traquiarteria. 

En  asas. 

Asadura  y  asaduria. 

Muy  bastante,  ó  asaz. 

Asi  como. 

Así  asá. 

Así  como  así. 

Así  que. 

Así  que  asá ;  ó  así  que  asado. 

¿Como  así? 

Hombre  de  asiento. 

Asiento  de  puente  levadizo. 

Asiento  de  plaza. 

Asistencia  continua. 

Asistencia  de  Sevilla. 

Asma  de  caballo. 

Cada  asno  con  su  tamaño. 

Al  asno  muerto,  la  cebada  al  rabo. 

Aspa  de  San  Andrés. 


A  primer  aspecto. 

Asta  de  bandera  de  popa  ó  de  proa. 

Asta  de  tope. 

Astas. 

En  asunto  de  .  .  . 


Charcoal  made  of  the  roots  of  trees. 

The  start  of  a  horse. 

A  very  tiresome  person. 

Red  skies  all  around,  violent  storms 
are  sure  to  come. 

A  bore. 

A  grand  dinner  ;  a  banquet. 

By  unnatural  means. 

Strangely  and  mysteriously  done. 

Veins  formed  in  wood  by  ramifica- 
tions of  fibre. 

The  windpipe. 

Arms  akimbo. 

A  toll  paid  for  the  passage  of  cattle. 

Quite  enough. 

In  the  same  way  as ;  as  soon  as. 

So  so. 

Any  way ;  by  all  means. 

So  that. 

Any  way  ;  it  makes  no  difference. 

How  is  that? 

A  prudent  man. 

The  abutment  of  a  drawbridge. 

Enlistment  of  soldiers. 

Assiduity. 

The  chief  magistracy  of  Seville. 

The  broken  wind  of  a  horse. 

Every  one  must  associate  with  his 
equals. 

To  lock  the  stable  door  after  the 
horse  is  stolen. 

Saint  Andrew's  cross,  affixed  to  the 
yellow  cloaks  of  penitents  sen- 
tenced by  the  Inquisition. 

At  first  sight. 

Ensign  staff,  or  Jack  staff  (nau.). 

Flagstaff. 

Horns  of  animals,  as  bulls,  etc. 

In  the  matter  of ...  ;  in  regard 
to  .  .  . 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


263 


Atadura  de  galeotes  y  prensas. 

Ata-el-gato. 

Pedazo  de  atún. 

Y  aún,  aún  mas. 

Ni  ausente   sin  culpa ;   ni  presente 

sin  disculpa. 
Avaro  de  gloria. 
Ave  zonza. 
Bien  ó  mal  avenidos. 
Ayuda  de  parroquia. 
Ayuda  de  costa. 
Ayuda  de  cámara. 
Casa  de  ayuntamiento. 
Á  la  primera  azonada. 

Azotes  y  galeras  ! 

Al  babor  del  timón  ! 

Á  barbor  todo  ! 
De  babor  á  estribor. 
Báculo  de  Jacob. 
Báculo  pastoral. 

Baile  de  candil,  ó  de  botón  gordo. 
Baile  de  disfraces,  ó  trages. 
Baile  general. 
Bajeza  de  ánimo. 
Bajeza  de  nacimiento. 
Como  una  bala. 
En  balanza  ;  ó  en  balanzas. 
Balsa  de  sangre. 


Banco  de  ahorros. 
De  banda  á  banda. 

Á  la  barata. 
Mala  barata. 

Con  mas  barbas  que  un  zamarro. 
Cuales  barbas,  tales  tobajas. 
Barbas  honradas. 
Á  barba  regarda. 

Á  la  barba ;    en  la  barba ;    en  sus 
barbas. 


A  train  of  prisoners  bound  together, 
to  be  conducted  to  the  galleys. 

A  miser. 

An  ignorant,  stui)id  fellow. 

Nay. 

Those  absent  are  always  blamed ; 
those  j)resent  have  always  excuses. 

Eager  for  glory. 

A  lazy,  inactive,  half-foolish  person. 

On  good  or  bad  terms. 

Chapel  of  ease. 

A  gratuity. 

A  valet  de  chambre. 

Town  hall. 

At  once  ;  at  first  sight. 

Prison  fare  (a  monotonous  diet). 

Port  the  helm  !  (nau.). 

Hard  aport  !   (nau.). 

Athwart  ship  (nau.). 

Jacob's  staff;  a  surveying  instrument. 

Bishop's  crosier. 

A  rustic  dance, 

A  fancy  ball. 

The  head  bailiff  in  the  royal  domains. 

Weakness  of  mind  ;  lowness  of  spirits. 

Obscurity  of  origin  ;  base  extraction. 

With  immense  velocity. 

In  danger  ;  in  doubt. 

A  reservoir  of  water,  very  distant 
from  a  source  of  supply,  and  col- 
lected with  great  labor. 

Savings  bank. 

From  party  to  party  ;  from  one  side 
to  the  other. 

Confusedly  ;  in  a  disorderly  manner. 

Profusion ;  prodigality. 

A  heavily  bearded  man. 

Treat  every  one  with  due  respect. 

A  respectable  person. 

Abundantly ;  lavishly. 

To  his  face  ;  in  his  presence. 


264 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Barba  á  barba. 

Barba  belida. 

Barba  cabosa. 

Barbas  de  ballena. 

De  tal  barba,  tal  escama. 


Por  barba. 

Antes  barba  blanca  para  tu  hija,  que 
muchacho  de  críncha  partida. 

Como  en  un  barbecho. 
Costa  de  barlovento. 
Costado  de  barlovento. 
Sin  daño  de  barras. 
Á  barras  derecho. 
De  barra  á  barra. 
Base  salificable. 

Entre  bastidores. 

Beca  de  merced. 
Beneficio  simple. 

Bestia  de  soma. 

¡  Gran  bestia  ! 

La  bestia  caballar  cierra. 

De  bien  á  bien. 

Bienes  heridos. 

Bigamia  espiritual. 

Billa  limpia. 

Billa  puerca,  ó  sucia. 

Á  la  birlonga. 

Blanco  como  el  ampo  de  la  nieve. 

Mas  blando  que  una  breva. 

De  bóbilis  bóbilis. 

Á  boca  de  costal. 

Á  boca  de  invierno. 

Á  boca  de  canjilón  ;  á  boca  de  jarro. 

Boca  de  una  arma  de  fuego. 


Face  to  face. 

A  brave  soldier  or  cavalier. 

A  noble,  earnest  fellow. 

Whalebone. 

We  must  expect  people  to  act  in 

accordance  with    their   condition 

and  education. 
Per  head  ;  per  individual. 
Rather    marry  your    daughter  to  a 

sensible  old  man  than  to  a  young 

fool. 
Without  reflection  or  examination. 
The  weather  shore  (nau.). 
The  weather  side  (nau.). 
Without  injury  or  danger. 
Fairly ;  without  deceit. 
From  one  end  to  the  other. 
A  substance  capable  of  neutralizing 

acids. 
Between    ourselves ;    without    pub- 
licity. 
A  scholarship. 
A  sinecure. 
A  beast  of  burden. 
You  are  a  jackass  ! 
The  horse  is  seven  years  old. 
Kindly ;  willingly. 
Encumbered  inheritances. 
The    possession    simultaneously   of 

two  similar  benefices. 
Losing  hazard  (billiards). 
Winning  hazard  (billiards). 
In  a  negligent,  careless  manner. 
White  as  the  driven  snow. 
Brought  to  reason. 
Without  trouble  or  care  ;  foolishly  ; 

at  another's  cost. 
Without  measure  ;  profusely. 
At  the  beginning  of  winter. 
Without  measure  ;  at  random. 
The  muzzle  of  a  firearm. 


I 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


265 


Boca  de  lobo. 

Boca  de  lobo  del  tamborete. 

Boca  de  taco. 

Boca  de  risa. 

Boca  de  oro. 

Boca  de  gacha. 

Pertrechos  de  boca  y  guerra. 

Á  boca  llena. 
De  boca. 

De  manos  á  boca. 

Boca  á  boca  ;  ó  boca  por  boca. 

Boca  del  estomago. 

Boca  de  escorpión. 

Á  boca  de  cañón. 

Boca  rasgada. 

Boca  de  verdades. 

Á  boca  de  noche. 

A  una  boca,  una  sopa. 

Á  bocados,  ó  bocadillos. 
Bocado  sin  hueso. 
Con  el  bocado  en  la  boca. 
Á  buen  bocado,  buen  grito. 

Perrito  de  todas  bodas. 

De  tales  bodas,  tales  costras,  ó  tortas. 
Boda  de  hongos. 
Bodegón  de  puntapié. 

Boga  arrancada. 

De  boga  arrancada. 
Bolsa  de  Dios. 
Bolsa  de  hierro. 
Bolsa  rota. 
Juego  de  bolsa. 


The  hole  in  the  deck  of  a  vessel 
through  which  the  mast  passes. 

Cap-hole  for  the  topmast  of  a  vessel. 

The  point  of  a  billiard  cue. 

A  smiling  countenance. 

An  eloquent  tongue. 

A  person  who  mumbles  his  words. 

Materials  necessary  for  the  support 
or  equipment  of  an  army. 

Perspicuously  ;  frankly  ;  openly. 

Verbally,  not  really  (used  of  boast- 
ing or  threatening). 

Unexpectedly. 

By  word  of  mouth  ;  face  to  face. 

The  pit  of  the  stomach. 

Calumniator. 

From  a  very  short  distance. 

A  large  mouth. 

A  truthful,  frank  person  (ironically 
applied  to  a  liar). 

At  nightfall. 

To  distribute  fairly,  that  each  may 
have  his  share. 

Piecemeal. 

A  sinecure  ;  an  office  without  trouble. 

Just  after  dinner,  or  supper. 

You  have  done  the  wrong,  now  take 
the  punishment. 

One  continually  coming  without  in- 
vitation ;  a  crooked  sixpence. 

Those  who  live  badly  die  badly. 

A  poor  wedding. 

A  stall  where  cow's  heels  and  black 
puddings  are  sold. 

Sudden  departure ;  violent  sally ; 
strong,  uniform  rowing. 

With  long,  steady  strokes  of  the  oars. 

Alms  ;  charity. 

Avarice  ;  covetousness. 

Spendthrift. 

Dealins;  in  stocks. 


266 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


i  Bomba  ! 

Á    tente    bonete ;    ó    hasta    tente 

bonete. 
Bravo  bonete  ;  ó  gran  bonete. 
Bordón  y  calabaza,  vida  holgada. 
De  bote  y  botes. 
De  botones  adentro. 
De  botón  gordo. 
¡  Brava  cosa  ! 
Á  brazo  partido. 
Abiertos  los  brazos  ;  ó  con  los  brazos 

abiertos. 
De  buenas  á  buenas  ;  ó  á  buenas. 
De  buenas  á  primeras. 
Al  buey  por  el  cuerno,  y  al  hombre 

por  la  palabra. 
Buey  viejo,  surco  derecho. 

Á  bulto. 

De  burlas. 
Burra  de  palo. 
Al  cabal ;  por  cabal. 
Por  sus  cabales. 
Por  su  cabal. 
Á  mata  caballo. 
Caballo  de  apariencia. 
Caballo  de  regalo. 
Caballo  de  buena  boca. 

Á  caballo. 
Caballo  blanco. 

Cabeza  de  hierro. 

Cabeza  de  chorlito. 

Á  todo  cabo  ;  ó  á  todos  cabos. 

Por  ningún  cabo. 

Al  cabo  del  mundo  ;  ó  hasta  el  cabo 

del  mundo. 
Al  cabo  al  cabo  ;  ó  al  cabo  y  á  la 

postre  ;  ó  al  cabo  de  la  jornada. 


Listen  !  (calling  attention  toa  toast). 
Abundantly ;  excessively. 

An  idiot. 

Vagrants ;  tramps. 

In  haste  ;  quickly. 

Inwardly. 

Coarse  ;  rough  ;  ungraceful. 

What  nonsense  ! 

With  bare  fists  ;  unarmed. 

With  open  arms  ;  lovingly  ;  gladly. 

Willingly. 

At  first  sight ;  from  the  beginning. 

A  man's  word  should  be  better  than 

bonds. 
He  is  competent  (an  old  ox  makes 

a  straight  furrow). 
At  random  ;  by  wholesale  ;  without 

examination. 
In  jest. 

Any  kind  of  sailing-vessel. 
Exactly ;  perfectly. 
To  the  point ;  exactly. 
With  all  one's  might ;  earnestly. 
In  the  utmost  hurry. 
A  stately  horse. 
A  fine  saddle-horse. 
One  easily  satisfied,  particularly  as 

regards  food. 
On  horseback. 
A  foolish  fellow  who  is  cheated  at 

cards  ;  a  pigeon. 
An  obstinate  man. 
Hare-brained  ;  frivolous. 
Extremely  ;  to  the  last  degree. 
By  no  means. 
To  any  place,  however  remote. 

After  all ;  at  last. 


II 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


267 


Cabo  de  casa. 

Cabos  negros  (en  las  mujeres). 

Cabra  por  viña,  cual  la  madre  tal  la 

hija. 
i  Cachaza,  amigo,  cachaza  ! 

Con  cachaza. 
Caja  de  ahorros.    • 
Café  de  la  sultana. 

Café  cetrino. 

Cálamo  cúrrente. 

Por  cálculo. 

Calderas  de  Pero  bolero. 

Á  las  calendas  griegas. 

A,  ó  en,  estas  calendas. 

Á  mala  cama,  colchón  de  vino. 

De  camino. 

De   un   camino,  ó  de  una  via,  dos 

mandados. 
Camino  de  Roma,  ni  muía  coja,  ni 

bolsa  floja. 
Á  moco  de  candil. 
Una  bala  cansada. 
Una  vista  cansada. 
En  capa  de  .  .  . 
Cara  apedreada. 
Cara  de  cartón. 
A  cara  descubierta. 
Cafa  deslavada. 
A  primera  cara. 
Cara  de  hereje. 
¡  Caracoles  ! 
A  carga  cerrada. 
A  cargas. 

¿  Por  qué  carga  de  agua? 
Carga  real. 
Carga  concejil. 


The  head  of  the  house. 

The  black  hair,  eyebrows,  and  eyes 

of  a  woman. 
As  is   the    mother,   so  will  be    the 

daughter. 
Coolly,  friend,  coolly  !  there  is  no 

haste. 
With  self-possession. 
A  savings  bank. 
An  infusion  from  the  husks  of  the 

coffee. 
An    infusion    from    the    unroasted 

coffee. 
Off  hand  ;  in  haste. 
Systematically  ;  with  a  fixed  purpose. 
Davy  Jones'  locker  (nau.). 
Never. 
At  that  time. 
If  one  must  watch  through  the  night, 

a  little  wine  is  desirable. 
On  the  way  ;  dressed  for  travelling. 
To  kill  two  birds  with  one  stone. 

Count    the    cost   before   beginning 

what  is  difficult. 
By  the  light  of  a  lamp. 
A  spent  cannon-ball. 
An  impaired  eyesight. 
Under  pretext  of  .  .  . 
A  face  pitted  with  the  small-pox. 
A  wrinkled  face. 
Openly;  plainly. 
A  pale,  puny  face. 
At  first  sight. 

A  hideous  or  deformed  face. 
Bless  me  !  good  gracious  ! 
Inconsiderately  ;  without  thought. 
Abundantly ;  plentifully. 
Why  ?  for  what  reason  ? 
Royal  tax. 
Municipal  office. 


26S 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Cargazón  de  tiempo. 

Á  carrera  abierta. 

Carrera  de  Indias. 

Por  carta  de  mas,  ó  de  menos. 

Cartas  ó  patentes  de  contramarca. 

Tren  de  una  casa. 

Casas  de  aposento. 


Alegre  de  cascos  ;  ó  cascos  lucidos. 

Barrendo  de  cascos. 

En  caso  negado. 

Por  el  mismo  caso. 

Caso  que  .  .  . 

En  caso  de  eso. 

Caso  apretado. 

Cedacito  nuevo,  tres  dias  en  estaca. 

Hasta  las  cejas. 

En  celada. 

Á  cencerros  tapados. 

Cepos  quedos. 

Cerca  de  ;  ó  acerca  de  .  .  . 

De  cerca. 

En  cerca. 

Cerro  enriscado. 

Como  por  los  cerros  de  Ubeda. 

Chapin  de  la  reina. 

Charretera  mocha. 
Chico  con  grande. 
Chico  como  grande. 
Chico  pleito. 
¡  Chispas  ! 

A  la  chitacallando. 

Esa  ni  con  chocalate. 

Ni  por  el  cielo,  ni  por  la  tierra. 


Cierto,  tal  que 
Por  cierto. 
A  raja  cincha. 


Cloudy,  thick  weather. 

At  full  speed. 

Trade  with  the  Indies. 

Extremes  should  be  avoided. 

Letters  of  marque. 

Household  furniture. 

Houses  where  the  officers  of  the 
royal  household  must  be  received 
and  lodged. 

A  person  of  little  judgment. 

Crack-brained ;  crazy. 

It  is  very  difficult. 

For  the  same  reason. 

In  case  .  .  . 

In  that  case. 

An  urgent  case. 

A  new  broom  sweeps  clean. 

To  the  utmost. 

In  a  secret  way. 

Privately ;  by  stealth. 

No  more  of  that. 

In  regard  to  .  .  . 

From  a  short  distance. 

Around ;  round  about. 

A  steep  and  inaccessible  mountain. 

Foreign  to  the  purpose. 

Tax  formerly  levied  in  Spain  on  oc- 
casion of  the  king's  marriage. 

A  shoulder  knot. 

One  with  the  other ;  little  and  big. 

Without  exception. 

A  trifling  matter. 

Exclamation  of  wonder  or  displeas- 
ure. 

By  stealth  ;  very  quietly. 

Nothing  shall  make  me  believe  it. 

Heaven  and  earth  shall  not  induce 
me  to  do  it. 

So  much  so  that  .  .  . 

Surely ;  certainly. 

At  full  speed. 


SPANISH  IDR ).  US. 


269 


I)e  claro  en  claro. 
Clavo  de  chilla. 
Tablas  de  chilla. 
Clérigo  de  misa  y  olla. 
Dama  de  coche  y  estrado. 
Del  codo  á  la  mano. 


Entre  col  y  col,  lechuga. 

De  cola  de  puerco  nunca  buen  virote. 


De  la  cola. 

Color  quebrado,  ó  quebradizo. 

Comedia  de  capa  y  espada. 

Ancho  de  conciencia. 

Estrecho  de  conciencia. 

En  conclusión. 

De  contado. 

Al  contado. 

A  contento. 

Fino  como  un  coral. 

De  corazón. 

Blando  de  corona. 

Correo  de  malas  nuevas. 

Á  correo  tirado. 

Corrida  de  caballo,  y  parada  de  bor- 


Corrida  de  toros. 
De  corrida. 
Corriente  y  moliente. 
A  la  corta,  ó  á  la  larga. 
i  Cortapicos  y  callares  ! 
Corte  de  cuentas. 
Cortes  constituyentes. 
Fuerte  cosa. 
Cada  cosa  para  su  cosa. 


Clearly  ;   oftenly. 

Tacks  ;  small  nails. 

Thin  boards. 

An  unlearned  priest. 

A  fashionable,  frivolous  woman. 

From  the  elbow  to  the  hand  (ex- 
aggerated description  of  a  person's 
diminutive  size). 

Variety  is  pleasing. 

You  cannot  make  an  arrow  of  a  pig's 
tail  (or  a  silken  purse  of  a  sow's 
ear). 

Backward  ;  behind. 

A  dull  color. 

A  drama  of  every-day  affairs,  not 
requiring  scenery. 

An  unscrupulous  conscience. 

A  scrupulous  person. 

In  short. 

Instantly ;  immediately. 

With  ready  money. 

Satisfactorily. 

Adroit ;  sharp  ;  astute. 

Truly  ;  sincerely  ;  affectionately. 

A  tender  skin  (in  a  horse). 

A  person  who  enjoys  carrying  bad 
news. 

By  return  mail. 

To  go  forth  on  horseback  and  re- 
turn on  a  donkey  ;  to  begin  pros- 
perously and  end  miserably. 

A  bull-fight. 

Quickly ;  rapidly. 

Very  much  as  usual. 

Sooner  or  later. 

Silence  !  no  more  questions  ! 

A  balance. 

Constitutional  convention. 

A  perplexing,  troublesome  thing. 

There  is  a  proper  time  and  use  for 
everything. 


270 


SPAXISH  IDIOMS. 


Cosas  de  acarreo. 
¿Que  cosa? 
Costa  acantilada. 
Á  costa  de  .  .  . 
Á  toda  costa. 

Costa  firme. 

Costa  de  sotavento. 

Costa  á  costa. 

De  costal  vacio  nunca  buen  bodigo. 

En  un  credo. 

Cada  credo. 

Criados  de  escalera  abajo. 

Criados  de  escalera  arriba. 

Puro  como  un  crisol. 

¡  Ni  por  un  Cristo  ! 

Á  tiempo. 

Á  punto  crudo. 

De  la  cruz  á  la  fecha. 

La  cruz  en  los  pechos,  y  el  diablo  en 

los  hechos. 
Tal  cual. 
Con  tal  que  .  .  . 
Cual  mas,  cual  menos. 
Cada  cual. 

Cual  el  cuervo,  tal  sus  huevos. 
¿De  cuando  acá  Perico,  ó   Marica 

con  guantes  ? 
De  cuando  en  cuando. 
¿  Hasta  cuando  ? 
Cuando  mas,  cuando  mucho. 
Cuando  menos. 
En  cuanto  á  .  .  . 
Cuanto  mas. 
Cuarto  á  cuarto. 
De  tres  al  cuarto. 
Mas  de  cuatro  personas,  ó  veces. 

Cuchillada  de  cien  reales. 
A  pan  y  cuchillo. 


Goods  transported  as  freight. 

What  do  you  say?  what  is  it? 

An  accessible  coast. 

By  dint  of  .  .  . 

Regardless  of  expense ;  at  all  haz- 
ards. 

Mainland. 

Lee  shore. 

Along  the  coast. 

Poor  people  cannot  make  great  gifts. 

Li  a  short  time. 

Every  moment. 

The  under-servants. 

The  upper-servants. 

Irreproachable  ;  pure. 

Not  for  the  world  ! 

At  the  critical  moment. 

At  the  wrong  moment ;  at  the  criti- 
cal moment. 

From  beginning  to  end. 

The  cross  on  one's  breast,  and  the 
devil  in  one's  deeds  ;  hypocrites. 

A  few  ;  so  so. 

Provided  that  .  .  . 

Much  alike  ;  much  the  same. 

Each  one. 

Like  parent,  like  child. 

Surprise  at  seeing  something  un- 
usual. 

Every  now  and  then. 

When  shall  I  see  you  again? 

At  most. 

At  least. 

As  to  ... ;  regarding  .  .  . 

Besides. 

Meanly. 

Of  little  moment. 

More  than  four  persons,  or  times 
{i.e.,  a  great  number). 

A  large  wound  from  a  knife. 

Familiarly  ;  habitually. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


271 


En  resumidas  cuentas. 
Cuentos  de  prisioneros. 
Cuento  de  viejas. 
En  cuento  de  .  .  . 
En  todo  cuento. 
Sin  cuentos. 
Á  cuento. 
A  cuento  de  .  .  . 

Cuento  de  horno. 
Cuento  de  cuentos. 
Por  debajo  de  cuerda. 
Sobre  cuernos,  penitencia. 
De  cuero  ajeno,  correas  largas. 

En  cuerpo  y  en  alma. 

i  La  ida  del  cuen'o  ! 

Cuesta  arriba,  ó  abajo. 

A  cuestas. 

Por  cuenta  de  una  persona. 

Cuidado  ajeno  de  pelo  cuelga. 

Culpa  lata. 
Culto  de  hiperdulia. 
De  ilustre  ó  humilde  cuna. 
Los  derechos  de  cura. 
Teniente  cura. 
Teniente  de  cura. 
Debajo  de  mano. 
Decretos  de  cajón. 

Decurión  de  decuriones. 
Desrolladero  de  bolsas. 


Dejado  de  la  mano  de  Dios. 

Al  delicado  poco  mal  y  bien  atado. 

Delia  con  deño. 

Demandas  y  respuestas. 


In  short ;  in  a  word. 

Thousands  of  prisoners. 

An  old  woman's  tale. 

In  place  of .  .  . ;  to  the  number  of . . . 

Any  way  ;  by  all  means. 

Numberless. 

To  the  point ;  to  the  purpose. 

On  condition  that  .  .  . ;  provided 
that  .  .  . 

Familiar  conversation  ;  fireside  tales. 

Complex  details. 

Under  the  rose. 

To  add  insult  to  injury. 

To  give  liberally  what  is  not  one's 
own. 

Totally ;  entirely. 

He's  off!  (expression  of  gladness). 

Up  hill  or  down  hill. 

On  the  shoulders. 

At  the  cost  of  a  certain  person. 

Other  people's  affairs  are  easily 
neglected. 

Absence  of  the  simplest  precautions. 

Worship  of  the  Virgin  Mary. 

Of  illustrious  or  humble  family. 

Dues  or  fees  of  a  clergyman. 

Vicar. 

Rural  dean. 

Privately  ;  in  an  underhand  manner. 

Common  decrees,  not  requiring  spe- 
cial legal  formality. 

Chief  monitor  in  a  Spanish  school. 

Cut-purse ;  shop  where  there  are 
extravagant  prices  or  dishonest 
dealings. 

Abandoned  by  God. 

To  the  delicately  nurtured  small  an- 
noyances are  trials. 

Reciprocally  ;  good  and  bad  as  they 
come. 


272 


SFAiVISH  IDIOMS. 


A  dentelladas. 

Á  derechas. 

A  tuertas  ó  á  derechas. 

Hecho  y  derecho. 

Según  derecho,  ó  á  derecho. 

Derechos  de  salvamento. 

En  derecho ;  de  derecho  .  .  . 

Con  desagrado. 

Descarga  de  aduana. 

Descarga   general   del   costado   del 

navio. 
En  descargo  de  mi  conciencia. 
Descorchador  de  colmena. 

Como  un  descosido. 

A  la  descubierta ;  ó  al  descubierto. 

Descubrimiento  del  pecho. 

Al  descuido  y  con  cuidado. 

Desde  luego. 

Desde  entonces. 

Desde  niño. 

A  medida  del  deseo. 

Borrasca  deshecha. 

Fuga  deshecha. 

A  la  deshilada. 

Un  dia  si,  y  otro  no. 

A  tres  dias  buenos,  cabo  de  mal  ex- 
tremo. 

Como  el  diablo. 

Con  mil  diablos. 

Nos  por  lo  ajeno,  y  el  diablo  por  lo 
nuestro. 

Mas  que  el  diablo. 

Diamante  en  bruto. 

Lo  dicho,  dicho. 

Otra  al  dicho  Juan  de  Coca. 

Dicho  de  las  gentes. 

A  pan  duro,  diente  agudo. 

Diente  de  perro. 


Snappishly;  peevishly. 

Right ;  well  or  honestly  done. 

Right  or  wrong. 

Perfect ;  complete  ;  without  doubt. 

According  to  law. 

Salvage  money. 

By  right ;  in  the  direction  of .  .  . 

Ungracefully ;  ungraciously. 

Clearance  at  the  custom  house. 

Broadside  from  a  man-of-war. 

For  the  satisfaction  of  my  conscience. 
One   who  breaks  into  the    hive    to 

steal  the  honey. 
Excessively. 

Openly  ;  clearly  ;  manifestly. 
Confidential  communications. 
Studiously  careless ;    a   dissembling 

carelessness. 
Therefore ;  immediately. 
From  that  time  forward  ;  ever  since. 
From  one's  childhood. 
According  to  one's  wish. 
A  violent  tempest. 
A  precipitate  flight. 
In  single  file  ;  steadily. 
Every  alternate  day. 
The  wheel  of  fortune  turns  often. 

Like  the  devil  {i.e.,  in  excess). 
An  interjection  of  anger  or  fury. 
Ill-gotten   gains  when  disappearing 

carry  honest  money  with  them. 
Most  unwillingly. 
A  rough  diamond. 
What  I  have  said,  I  abide  by. 
That  is  a  very  impertinent  repetition. 
Gossiping. 

Hunger  is  the  best  sauce. 
A   sampler;   work   done   by  young 

girls. 


SFANISH  IDIOMS. 


273 


Valiente  por  el  diente. 

El  crujir  de  dientes. 
De  diestro  á  diestro. 
De  diestro  á  diestro  el  mas  presto. 

Á  diestro  y  á  siniestro. 
Á  un  diestro,  un  presto. 

Á  diferencia. 

En  diligencia. 

Á  despecho  .  .  . 

Después  de  Dios. 

Después  acá. 

Al  despuntar  del  dia. 

Á  destajo. 

Deudas  activas  ;  deudas  pasivas. 

Deuda  común. 

Dia  de  viernes. 

Dia  de  besamanos. 

Dia  diado,  ó  adiado. 

El  dia  de  hoy  ;  ó  hoy  en  dia ;  en 
dias  de  vivos. 

Dia  pardo  ;  dia  pesado. 

Entre  dia. 

En  dias  de  Dios ;  en  los  dias  de  la  vida. 

Dias  y  ollas. 

Dias  ha. 

De  dias. 

Al  ser  de  dia. 

No  en  mis  dias. 

Después  de  los  dias  de  alguno. 

Dinero  en  tabla  ;  ó  dinero  en  mano. 

Á  dinero  ;  al  dinero  ;  á  dinero  con- 
tante ;  á  dinero  seco. 

Dinero  y  no  consejos. 

Buen  dinero. 

De  dinero  y  de  bondad,  la  mitad  de 
la  mitad. 


Courage  which  only  shows  itself  in 

attacking  food. 
The  grinding  of  the  teeth. 
Diamond  cut  diamond. 
Of    two    who    are    equally    skilful, 

choose  the  quicker  one. 
Right  or  wrong. 
Quickness  is  sometimes  better  than. 

skill. 
With  a  difference. 
In  haste. 

In  spite  of  ... ;  in  defiance  of .  .  .. 
Under  God. 
Ever  since. 
At  break  of  day. 
By  the  job. 
Assets ;  liabilities. 
Death. 
Fast-day. 
Court  day. 

Day  appointed  for  doing  anything. 
The  present  day ;  in  our  own  times. 

A  cloudy,  dull,  gloomy  day. 

In  the  daytime. 

Never. 

Time  and  patience  accomplish  much. 

It  is  a  long  time  since. 

Some  time  ago. 

At  daybreak. 

I  will  never  do  it. 

After  the  death  of  a  person. 

Cash  ;  ready  money. 

In  coin  ;  in  ready  money. 

Deeds,  not  words  (answer  to  unde- 

sired  advice). 
A  safe  debt. 
The  popular  estimate  of  wealth  and 

character   generally   doubles    the 

truth. 


274 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Los  dichos  en  nos,  y  los  hechos  en 

Dios, 
i  Á  la  paz  de  Dios  ! 
Dios  delante. 
El  dedo  de  Dios. 
Dios,  y  en  hora  buena. 
¡  Dios  sobre  todo  ! 

¡  Ay  Dios  ! 

¡  Á  Dios  mi  dinero  ! 

Á  la  buena  de  Dios. 

Á  Dios  y  á  ventura. 

De  Dios  en  ayuso. 

En  Dios  y  conciencia  ;  ó  en  Dios  y 

mi  alma. 
En  amaneciendo  Dios. 

Para  aqui,  y  para  delante  de  Dios. 

¡  Aqui  de  Dios  ! 

¡  Dios  y  ayuda  ! 

Á  manta  ;  ó  á  manta  de  Dios. 

Compañía    de    dos,    compañía    de 

Dios. 
Después  de  Dios  á  la  olla. 

La  confianza  en  Dios,  y  los  pies  en 

la  calle. 
¡  Anda  con  Dios  !    ¡  Á  Dios  con  la 

colorada  ! 
¡  Á  Dios  ! 
Á  discreción. 

Á  disgusto  .  .  . 
Disparate  craso. 
A  distinción. 
Á  la  dobla. 

Tierra  doblada. 

A  la  dobladilla  ;  ó  al  doble. 

Docena  de  fraile. 

Á  docenas. 


Man  does  what  he  can,  God  wha': 
he  will. 

God's  peace  be  with  you  ! 

God  granting  ;  with  God's  help. 

The  power  (finger)  of  God. 

That  is  right ;  as  it  should  be. 

God  is  over  all  !  (said  when  doubt- 
ful of  success). 

Expression  of  pity,  pain,  or  fright. 

I  give  it  up  for  lost  ! 

Candidly  ;  in  all  truth. 

At  all  risks. 

From  God  downward. 

In  very  truth  ;  God  knows  it  is  true. 

When    it    dawns ;    when    the    day 

breaks. 
Forever, 

God  help  me  !    God  be  with  me  ! 
God  help  us  ! 
Copiously  ;  plentifully. 
Two  agree  more  readily  than  many. 

Of  all  temporal  needs,  hunger  is  the 

greatest. 
Have  faith,  but  be  diligent. 

Good  by  !    God  be  with  you  ! 

Farewell  !  adieu  !  God  help  us  ! 

At  the  will  or  discretion  of  an- 
other. 

In  spite  of  .  .  . 

Egregious  nonsense. 

In  contradistinction. 

With  importunity ;  returning  to  the 
charge. 

An  uneven,  mountainous  country. 

Doubly ;  repeatedly, 

A  baker's  dozen. 

Abundantly  ;  in  good  quantities. 


f 


SFANISI/  IDIOMS. 


275 


Domingo  de  Lázaro. 
Domingo  de  mmos. 
Domingo  de  resurrección. 
Domingo  siete. 
Don  de  gentes. 
Don  de  acierto. 
Don  de  errar. 
Don  Preciendo. 
Don  Guindo. 

Don  Lindo. 

Donde  no. 

I  Por  donde  ? 

¿  Hacia  donde  ? 

¿Á    donde    bueno?    ó   ¿de    donde 

bueno  ? 
De  donde  diere. 
Pino  doncel. 
Vino  doncel. 
En  un  dos  por  tres. 
Á  dos  por  tres. 

Dos  tantos. 

Aquí  para  entre  los  dos. 

Sin  duelo. 

Moneda  de  duendes. 

Á  duras  penas  ;  ó  á  duro. 

Peso  duro. 

Durillo  revelante. 

Avanzado  de  edad. 

Menor  edad. 

En  efecto. 

Empeñadura  de  las  consejas. 

Encaje  del  rostro  ;  ó  de  la  cara. 

Ley  del  encaje. 

De  los  enemigos  los  menos. 

Derecho  de  entrada. 

Entrada  furtiva. 

Entrada  de  mes,  ó  de  año. 

De  primera  entrada. 


Passion  Sunday. 

Palm  Sunday. 

Easter  Sunday. 

An  absurdity. 

Popular  qualities  ;  winning  manners. 

Habitual  dexterity. 

A.  knack  of  erring. 

A  poor  man  who  boasts  of  riches. 

One  who  boasts   of  learning  which 
he  does  not  possess. 

A  dandy. 

On  the  contrary. 

By  what  way  or  reason? 

Toward  what  place  ? 

Where  is  he  going?  or  where  does 
he  come  from? 

Inconsiderately ;  without  thought. 

Clear  pine  timber. 

Wine  of  a  mild  flavor. 

In  a  twinkling. 

Inconsiderately  ;  audaciously  ;    sud- 
denly. 

Twice  ;  double. 

Between  you  and  me. 

Abundantly. 

Small  copper  coin. 

With  difficulty  and  labor. 

A  hard  dollar ;  a  dollar  in  coin. 

Bombast. 

Advanced  in  age  ;  old. 

Legal  minority. 

In  fact ;  in  truth. 

Beginning  of  a  discourse  or  narra- 
tion. 
The  aspect ;  appearance. 
An  arbitrary  law. 
Amongst  evils,  choose  the  least. 

Import  duties. 

Burglary. 

The  beginning  of  the  month,  or  year. 

At  the  first  effort. 


276 


SPA.VISH  IDIOMS. 


Entrañas  empedernidas. 
Ermitas  de  Baco. 
Escaso  de  bienes. 
Escaso  de  luces. 

Escudero  pobre,  taza  de  plata  y  olla 
de  cobre. 

Espada  blanca. 

Espada  negra. 

Espada  de  á  caballo. 

Primera  espada. 

Á  espaldas  vueltas,  memorias  muertas. 

Á  espaldas  vueltas. 

Á  espaldas. 

Sobre  mis  espaldas. 

A  las  espaldas  de  la  iglesia. 

Solo  como  el  espárrago. 

Especies  sacramentales. 


Espectáculo  sangriento. 
Espejo  ustorio. 
Limpio  como  un  espejo. 
A  estaca ;  ó  á  la  estaca. 
Siete  estados  debajo  de  tierra. 
Buena  estampa. 

¡  Para  estas,  ó  por  estas  ! 


En  estas  y  en  estotras. 
En  esto. 
Estatura  atroz. 
Estilo  castizo. 
Estomago  aventurero. 

A  la  estrecha. 
Al  estrecho. 


A  heart  as  hard  as  a  rock. 
Taverns  ;  wine-shops. 
Far  from  rich. 
Uneducated. 

Good  things  are  more  economical  in 
the  end,  even  if  more  expensive 
at  first. 
Sword. 
Foil. 

Broadsword,  or  dragoon's  sword. 
The  head  bull-fighter. 
Out  of  sight,  out  of  mind. 
Treacherously  ;  behind  one's  back. 
Behind    one's   back ;    in  one's  ab- 
sence. 
At  my  expense. 

At  the  back  part  of  the  church. 
As  lonely  as  asparagus  ;   each  stalk 

by  itself. 
The   accidents  of  taste,  color,  and 
smell,  which  remain  in  the  sacra- 
mental wafer  after  transubstantia- 
tion. 
A  most  moving  sight. 
A  burning-glass. 

As  clean,  or  bright,  as  a  new  penny. 
In  durance. 
As  secret  as  the  grave. 
A  good  figure   (generally  applied  to 

horses). 
I  swear  by  this  !  (either  while  hold- 
ing the  beard,  or  making  a  cross 
with  the  hand). 
In  the  meanwhile. 
At  this  time. 
Enormous  stature. 
A  correct  style. 

One  dependent  on  another  ;  a  hang- 
er-on. 
Friendly. 
Necessarily  ;  perforce. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Ill 


Con  estrellas. 

Estudios  mayores. 
Juez  de  estudios. 

Mayor  de  toda  excepción. 

De  falso. 

En  falso. 

Á  falta  de  .  .  . 

Sin  falta. 

i  Favor  al  rey ;  ó  favor  á  la  justicia  ! 

Fé  de  erratas. 

En  fé. 

De  buena  fé  ;  ó  á  fé. 

De  mala  fé. 

Á  fé  mia ;  ó  por  mi  fé. 

Poseedor  de  buena  fé. 

Fehaciente. 

Ferias. 

Fianza  bancada. 


Fiel  de  balanza. 

Fiel  de  balanza  de  la  romana. 
Fiel  de  romana. 

Fiel  de  muelle. 

En  fiel. 

Fiesta  de  pólvora. 

Por  modo  de  fiesta. 

Natural  y  figura,  genio  y  figura  hasta 

la  sepultura. 
Figura  de  proa. 
Al  fin. 

Á  fin  de  .  .  . 
En  fin  ;  ó  por  fin. 
Por  cualquier  fin. 
En  flor  ;  ó  flor  de  edad. 
Flor  de  cobre. 


A  short  time  after  nightfall,  or  before 
daybreak. 

The  higher  sciences. 

A  vice-chancellor  in  some  Spanish 
universities. 

An  impeachable  witness. 

Falsely ;  deceitfully. 

Without  due  security. 

In  want  of  ... ;  for  want  of  .  .  . 

Punctuality  ;  without  fail. 

In  the  king's  name  !  (calling  assist- 
ance to  seize  a  criminal). 

Errata. 

Consequently. 

Truly  ;  sincerely  ;  in  earnest. 

Deceitfully ;  cunningly. 

Upon  my  honor. 

The  rightful  possessor. 

Authentic  ;  manifestly  true. 

Fairings  ;  gifts  from  a  fair. 

Bank  security  given  in  Rome  (to 
insure  pensions  charged  on  eccle- 
siastical works). 

The  weigh-master  at  the  mint  ;  the 
pivot  of  a  balance  or  steelyard. 

The  needle  of  a  balance. 

A  magistrate  who  inspects  slaughter- 
houses and  shambles. 

Wharfinger. 

Equal  weight  ;  even  balance. 

Something  quick  ;  of  short  duration. 

In  jest ;  for  fun. 

^Vhat  is  bred  in  the  bone  will  never 
come  out  of  the  flesh. 

Figure-head  of  a  ship. 

At  last ;  at  length. 

In  order  that  .  .  . 

Finally  ;  lastly. 

For  whatever  motive  or  cause. 

In  infancy,  youth,  bloom  of  youth. 

Verdims. 


278 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Flor  de  azufre. 

Á  la  flor  del  agua. 

Flor  de  viento. 

Flor  de  mano. 

Flor  de  harina. 

Flor  de  especia,  ó  nuez  de  especia. 

Libro  de  las  cuarenta  fojas. 

Hombre  de  fondo. 

Fondos  públicos. 

Á  fondo. 

Fondos  vitalicios. 

Fondos  de  un  navio. 

Fondos. 

El  fondo  de  una  pintura. 

De  forma  que  .  .  . 

En  forma. 

En  debida  forma. 

En  toda  forma. 

Hombre  de  forma. 

Forma  de  zapatero. 

Forma  para  los  quesos. 

Fortuna  de  la  mancha. 

Á  frente. 

En  frente. 

Frente  de  batalla. 

Dinero  fresco. 

Pintura  al  fresco. 

Fruta  nueva. 

Fruta  de  tiempo. 

Fruto  de  benedición. 

Á  fuego  lento. 

Á  fuego  y  sangre.  ** 

Fuego   de  artificio ;   ó   artificio   de 

fuego. 
Fuera  de  si. 
De  fuera. 
Fuera  de  .  .  . 
Fuera  de  eso. 
Fuera  de  esto. 


Flowers  of  sulphur. 

Water-level. 

Point  of  compass. 

Artificial  flowers. 

Superfine  flour. 

Mace. 

A  pack  of  cards. 

A  man  of  talents  and  ability. 

State  securities. 

Perfectly  ;  completely  ;  deeply. 

Life  annuities. 

The  deck  of  a  ship. 

Heads  of  casks. 

The  background  of  a  picture. 

In  such  manner  that  .  .  . 

Truly  ;  certainly  ;  seriously. 

Formally  ;  according  to  law. 

Perfectly ;  completely. 

A  man  of  merit  and  distinction. 

A  shoemaker's  last. 

A  cheese-press. 

Omelet  of  eggs  and  chopped  ba- 
con. 

In  front ;  in  a  line ;  obverse  of 
coins. 

Opposite  ;  over  the  way. 

Front  rank  of  a  body  of  troops. 

Ready  money  ;  cash  payment. 

Painting  in  fresco. 

Anything  new. 

Fruit  in  season. 

Legitimate  children. 

To  injure  a  person  gradually. 

Severely ;  unsparingly. 

Fireworks. 

Absent-minded  ;  beside  one's  self. 
On  the  exterior. 
Out  of  .  .  . 
Besides  :  moreover. 
Short  of  this ;  besides  this. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


219 


Fuera  de  que. 
Fuero  externo. 
Fueros. 

De  mero. 

Fuero   de  la  conciencia  ;    fuero  in- 
terior ó  interno. 
Á  fuerza. 
De  fuerza. 
Por  fuerza. 
En  fuerza  de  .  .  . 
A  fuerza  de  villano,  hierro  en  mano. 

Fulano  y  mengano. 
A  gachas  ;  ó  á  gatas. 
¡  Animo  á  las  gachas  ! 
Gallina  en  coral  ajeno, 
Al  primer  gallo. 

Pata  de  gallo. 

Entre  gallos  y  media  noche. 

De  buena  gana. 

De  mala  gana. 

De  su  gana. 

De  gana. 

Ganado  mayor. 

Ganado  menor. 

Ganado  de  cerda. 
Cuenta  garbanzos. 
¡  Cinco,  y  la  garra  ! 
Navio  de  media  garra. 
Vino  de  garrote. 

La  gata  de  Mari- Ramos. 

Gata  del  ancla. 
Tiro  del  aparejo  de  la  gata. 
Cuadernal  de  la  gata. 
Enganchar  la  gata  en  la  ancla. 
Gaya  ciencia  ;  ó  gaya  doctrina. 


Besides  this. 

Canon  and  civil  law. 

Charters  or  privileges  granted  to  a 

])rovince,  town,  or  person. 
According  to  law  ;  l)y  right. 
The  tribunal  of  conscience. 

By  perseverance. 

Of  course  ;  necessarily. 

With  force  ;  violently. 

In  virtue  of .  .  . 

Birds  that  can  sing  and  won't  sing 

must  be  made  to  sing. 
Such  and  such  an  one. 
On  all  fours. 

Cheer  up  !  take  courage  ! 
Shy ;  like  a  cat  in  a  strange  garret. 
At  midnight ;  the  midnight  crowing 

of  the  cocks. 
An  artful  device. 
At  an  inconvenient  hour. 
With  pleasure  ;  willingly. 
Unwillingly  ;  with  reluctance. 
Of  his  own  accord. 
Designedly ;  purposely. 
Horned  cattle  and  mules. 
Smaller    animals,   as   sheep,   goats, 

asses. 
Swine. 

An  avaricious  person. 
Stolen  goods  ! 

A  vessel  that  carries  no  topsails. 
The    last   wine    pressed    from    the 

grapes. 
One  who  tries  to  obtain  a  thing  while 

pretending  not  to  want  it. 
Cat-tackle  (nau.). 
Cat- fall  (nau.). 
Cat-block  (nau.). 
To  hook  the  cat  (nau.). 
Poetry. 


280 


SPAiVISH  IDIOMS. 


A  gaznate  tendido,  ó  á  todo  gaznate. 
De  gente  en  gente. 

Gente  fina ;  ó  gente  de  razón. 

Gente  de  pluma. 

Gente  de  modo,  ó  de  braza. 

Gente  principal. 

'Gente  de  pelo,  ó  de  pelusa. 

Gente  de  trato. 

Gente  de  bien  ;  ó  de  buen  proceder. 

Gente  de  capa  parda. 

Gente  del  bronce. 

Gente  de  cuchilla. 

Gente  de  paz. 

Gente  baja  ó  del  gordillo. 

Gente  de  la  hampa ;  ó  de  la  vida 

airada. 
Gente  de  toda  broza. 

Gente  perdida. 
i  Que  infierno  de  gente  ! 
¡  Gentil  necedad  ! 
Gentil-hombre  de  manga. 
Gentil-hombre  de  cámara. 
Gentil-hombre  de  placer. 
Como  gentil-hombre. 
Giro  regular  de  negocios. 
Gobierno  cié  casa. 
De  golpe  y  porrazo. 
De  golpe  y  zumbido. 
Golpe  de  pluma. 
Golpe  en  vago. 
Golpe  de  fortuna. 
El  golpe  del  reloj. 
De  golpe,  ó  de  un  golpe. 
■Golpe  de  mar. 
'Golpe  de  música. 
'Golpe  de  remo. 
Duro  de  gorra. 

Gota  á  gota. 


At  the  top  of  one's  lungs. 
From  one  to  another  ;  from  genera- 
tion to  generation. 
Well-educated  people. 
Notaries  ;  attorneys.  • 

Fashionable  people. 
Nobility  or  gentry. 
People  of  property. 
Tradesmen ;  dealers. 
Honest  people. 
Villagers  ;  rustics. 
People  who  are  always  merry. 
Butchers. 

A  friend  (answer  to  a  challenge). 
The  rabble  ;  the  mob. 
A  debauched  set  of  people. 

People  without  trade  or  employ- 
ment. 

Vagrants  ;  vagabonds. 

What  a  crowd  !  what  a  hubbub  ! 

A  pretty  piece  of  folly  ! 

Governor  of  the  royal  children. 

Lord  of  the  bed-chamber. 

A  buffoon. 

As  any  one  else. 

A  foir  run  of  business. 

Household. 

Without  premeditation. 

Unexpectedly ;  unawares. 

A  stroke  of  the  pen. 

A  stroke  that  missed  its  aim. 

A  fortunate  event ;  a  jump. 

The  tick  of  a  clock. 

Suddenly  ;  all  at  once. 

Surf;  a  heavy  sea. 

A  band  of  music. 

Stroke  in  rowing. 

He  who  waits  for  others  to  salute 
first. 

Drop  by  drop. 


"^ 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


281 


Gota  coral. 

¡  El  gozo  en  el  pozo  ! 

¡  Qué  gracia  ! 

De  su  bella  gracia. 

De  gracia  ;  ó  de  balde. 

En  gracia  de  .  .  . 

Grada  de  construcción. 

Navio  en  la  grada. 

Grado  á  Dios. 

Ni  grado,  ni  gracias. 

De  grado  ;  ó  de  su  grado. 

De  grado  en  grado. 

Mal  su  grado. 

Mal  de  su  grado. 

En  grado  superlativo. 

Con  su  grano,  ó  su  granito  de  sal. 

Á  grito  herido. 

El  grueso  de  un  ejército. 

Salvo  el  guante. 

En  buena  guerra. 

Á  guias. 

En  guia  ;  ó  en  la  guia. 

A  guisa  ;  de  tal  guisa  ;  en  tal  guisa  . 

Habas. 

¿  Qué  acá  ?  ó  ¿  qué  acá  morena  ? 

Hacia  adelante. 

Hacia  acá,  ó  hacia  esta  parte. 

¿  Hacia  dónde  ? 

Hacia  casa  ;  ó  hacia  su  pais. 

Real  hacienda. 

Ministro  de  hacienda. 

Hacienda  pública. 

Secretario  de  hacienda. 

Haciendas  apalabradas. 

nacimiento  de  gracias. 

nacimiento  de  rentas. 

Sobre  la  faz  de  la  tierra. 
A  sobre  faz. 


Epilepsy. 

My  illusions  have  vanished  ! 

What  a  wonder  !  a  fine  thing  indeed  ! 

Of  his  own  accord. 

Gratis ;  for  nothing. 

For  the  sake  of  .  .  . 

Stocks  for  ship-building. 

Ship  on  the  stocks. 

Thanks  to  God  ;  thank  God. 

Unintentional    deeds     deserve     no 

thanks. 
Willingly. 
Gradually. 
In  spite  of  him. 
Unwillingly. 
Excessively. 
With    a   grain    of  salt   {cmn  grano 

sa/is). 
In  a  loud  voice,  an  urgent  cry. 
The  main  body  of  an  army. 
Excuse  my  gloves. 
By  lawful  means. 
Driving  four  in  hand. 
Guiding. 

In  such  a  manner  or  way  that  .  .  . 
^\'hite  and  black  balls  used  in  voting. 
To  what  purpose  ? 
Forward. 

Hither ;  hitherward. 
Whither?  to  what  place? 
Homeward. 
Royal  exchequer. 
Chancellor  of  the  exchequer. 
Public  treasury  ;  finances. 
Secretary  of  the  treasury. 
Goods  already  bespoken. 
Thanksgiving. 
The  act  of  selling  real  estate,  or  a 

lease,  by  public  auction. 
On  the  face  of  the  earth. 
Apparently  ;  at  first  view. 


282 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


En  faz  ;  ó  en  la  faz. 
En  haz  y  en  paz. 
De  esta  hecha. 
A  hecho. 
A  caso  hecho. 
Tiempo  hecho. 
Viento  hecho. 
Hecho  y  derecho. 
A  lo  hecho,  pecho. 

De  hecho,  y  de  derecho. 
Hermano  de  leche. 
Hermano  politico. 
Medio  hermano. 
Hermano  carnal. 

Hermano  consanguíneo. 

Hermano  uterino. 

En  casa  del  herrero,  cuchillo  man- 
gorrero. 
La  hez  del  pueblo. 
Hidalgo  de  gotera. 

Hidalgo  de  bragueta. 


Hieles. 

Malos  hígados. 

Hasta  los  hígados. 

Los  hijos  de  Mari-rabadilla  ó  Mari- 
sabidilla, cada  uno  en  su  escu- 
dilla. 

Muchos  hijos  y  poco  pan,  contento 
con  afán. 

El  hijo  muerto,  y  el  apio  en  el  huerto. 


El 


hijo  de  buena  pasa  malo  y  bueno. 


In  sight. 

With  common  consent  and  approval. 

From  this  time. 

Incessantly ;  indiscriminately. 

Purposely. 

Settled  weather  (nau.). 

A  steady  wind  (nau.). 

Perfect ;  complete. 

We  must  make  the  best  of  what  is 

already  done. 
By  act  and  by  right. 
Foster-brother. 
Brother-in-law. 
Half-brother. 
A    full    brother,    having    the    same 

father  and  mother. 
A  brother  having  the  same    father, 

but  not  the  same  mother. 
A  brother  having  the  same  mother, 

but  not  the  same  father. 
The  shoemaker's  children  are  bound 

to  go  barefoot. 
The  scum  of  the  people. 
One   who    enjoys   the   privileges  of 

nobility  in  one  town  only. 
One  who   enjoys  the   privileges   of 

nobility,  in  consequence  of  being 

the  father  of  seven  sons  without 

an  intervening  daughter. 
Calamities ;  misfortunes. 
Ill  will. 
To  the  heart. 
Members  of  the  same  family  do  not 

always  agree. 

Sordid  poverty  blunts  family  affec- 
tion. 

The  opportunity  once  lost  seldom 
returns. 

A  good  education  prepares  one  for 
both  good  and  ill  fortune. 


SrAXIS/J  IDIOMS. 


283 


Hijos  de  tus  bragas,  bueyes  de  tus 

vacas. 
Hijos  de  muchas  madres. 

Hijo  sin  dolor,  madre  sin  amor. 

Hijo  de  su  padre,  ó  de  su  madre. 

Hijo  de  la  gallina  blanca. 
Pendiente  de  un  hilo. 

Hilo  de  acarreto. 

Hilo  de  una  corriente. 

Hilo  á  hilo. 

Á  hilo. 

De  hilo. 

Hombre  hecho  y  derecho. 

Hombre  apercibido  nunca  comba- 
tido. 

Hombre  de  ambas,  ó  de  todas  sillas. 

Hombre  de  bigote,  ó  de  pecho. 

Hombre  de  bigote  al  ojo  ;  ó  hombre 
de  peso. 

Hombre  de  tamaño. 

Hombre  de  capricho. 
Hombre  de  copete. 

Hombre  de  chapa. 

Hombre  de  corazón. 

Mucho  hombre. 

Hombre  de  pelo  en  pecho. 

Hombre  de  pro,  ó  de  provecho. 

Hombre  de  buena  capa. 

Hombre  de  capa  negra. 
Hombre  de  capa  y  espada. 
Hombre  de  buenas  letras  ;  ó  hombre 

lleno. 
Hombre  de  calzas  atacadas. 


We  care  most  for  that  which  is  our 

own. 
There   are   sons  of  many    mothers 

(/>.,  very  various  people). 
We  care  little  for  that  which   costs 

us  little. 
The  child  resembles  his  father,  or  his 

mother. 
A  lucky  fellow. 
To  hang  on  a  thread  ;  to  be  in  great 

danger. 
Pack-thread. 
Direction  of  a  current. 
Drop  by  drop. 

Successively  ;  one  after  another. 
Directly ;  instantly. 
A  grown  man. 
Forewarned    is    forearmed ;    to    be 

pre])ared  is  half  victory. 
A  man  of  varied  learning. 
A  man  of  spirit  and  vigor. 
A  sensible  man. 

A  man  of  respectability  and  endow- 
ments. 

A  man  of  original  mind. 

A  man  of  respectability  and  influ- 
ence. 

A  sensible  man. 

A  brave  and  generous  man. 

A  man  of  great  talent  and  ability. 

A  brave,  daring  man. 

A  clear-headed,  upright  man. 

One  who  lives  comfortably  and  in 
good  repute. 

A  decent  man. 

A  person  of  no  profession. 

A  learned  man. 

A  conservative  man  ;  a  rigid  observer 
of  old  customs. 


2S4 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Buen  hombre,  pero  mal  sastre. 

Hombre  de  veras. 
Hombre  de  á  caballo. 
Hombre  liso. 
Hombre  mayor. 
Hombre  de  un  siglo. 

Hombre  de  hecho. 
Hombre  de  circunstancias. 
El  primer  hombre  del  mundo. 

Hombre  de  campo. 

Hombre  blanco  ;  ó  mujer  blanca. 

Hombre  de  chaqueta. 

Hombre  cerrado  de  barba. 

Hombre  de  estómago. 

El    hombre    perezoso,    en   la   fiesta 

acucioso. 
Hombre  arrebatado. 
Hombre  de  intención. 
Hombre  al  agua,  á  la  mar. 

Hombre  de  mala  digestión. 

Hombre  baldío. 

Hombre  para  poco. 

Hombre  de  bajos  principios. 

Un  hombre  de  mucho  arranque. 

Hombre  bellaco  tres  barbas  á  cuatro. 

Hombre  menudo. 

Hombre  de  dos  caras. 

Ni  hombre  tiple,  ni  mujer  bajón. 

Hombre  de  vida  airada. 
Hombro  con  hombro. 
Al  hombro  ;  ó  sobre  los  hombros. 
De  honra  y  provecho. 

A  hora. 
A  la  hora. 


A  man  of  good  heart,  but  small 
abihty. 

A  truthful,  earnest  man. 

A  good  rider. 

A  plain,  truthful  man. 

An  aged  man. 

One  who  is  strong  in  spite  of  his 
age  ;  a  vigorous  old  man. 

A  man  of  experience. 

A  respectable  person. 

A  man  remarkable  in  the  line  of  life 
of  which  we  are  speaking. 

A  farmer. 

An  honest  man,  or  woman. 

A  man  of  the  people. 

A  heavily  bearded  man. 

A  tenacious  person. 

A  lazy  man  must  make  up  his  neg- 
lected work  during  the  holidays. 

A  rash,  inconsiderate  man. 

A  dissembler. 

A  man  who  gives  no  hope  of  im- 
provement in  health  or  conduct. 

He  who  wears  a  frown,  or  cynical 
expression. 

Vagrant ;  vagabond. 

A  coward  ;  a  good-for-nothing. 

A  mean,  low  man. 

A  man  of  hasty  temper. 

Rogues  are  double-faced. 

A  close  man  ;  a  worthless  man. 

A  hypocrite. 

That  which  is  unsuitable  is  also  un- 
pleasing. 

A  licentious  man. 

Shoulder  to  shoulder ;  cheek  by  jowl. 

On  the  shoulders. 

For  both  mental  and  physical  quali- 
ties. 

At  once  ;  immediately  ;  just  now. 

At  the  nick  of  time. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


285 


i  En  hora  mala  ! 

¡  En  hora  buena  ! 

Á  la  hora  de  esta;    á  la  hora  de 

ahora. 
Hora  menguada. 
A  buena  hora. 
Por  horas. 
Señor  de  horca  y  cuchillo. 


Horma  de  zapatero. 
Horma  de  sombrero. 
Horma  ;  ó  pared  horma. 

Al  hospital  por  hilas  ó  por  mantas. 

Hoy  dia;  hoy  en  dia;  ó  hoy  en  el 

dia. 
Hoy  por  hoy. 
Antes  hoy  que  mañana. 
De  hoz  y  de  coz. 
La  hoz  en  el  haza,  y  el  hombre  en  la 

caza. 
Huecos  de  las  olas. 
Un  huevo,  y  ese  huero. 

Huevo  de  juanelo. 

A  huevo. 

Huevos  pasados  por  agua. 

Huevos  de  faltriquera. 

Humildad  de  garabato. 

A  humo  de  pajas. 

A  hurto. 

En  dos  idas  y  venidas. 

Ida  del  humo. 

Idas. 

En  igual  de  .  .  . 

No  tiene  igual. 

Sin  igual. 


Be  off !  away  with  you  ! 

Be  it  so  !  all  right !  it  is  well ! 

Now ;  at  this  very  time. 

Fatal  moment. 

At  a  seasonable  time. 

Minute  by  minute  ;  by  instants. 

Lord  of  the  manor,  with  civil  and 

criminal    jurisdiction   within    the 

limits  of  his  estate. 
Shoemaker's  last. 
Hatter's  block. 
A  dry  wall,  built  without  hme  and 

mortar. 
To  ask  a  person  for  things  which  he 

himself  needs. 
Nowadays. 

This  very  day. 

Rather  to-day  than  to-morrow. 

Headlong. 

The  work  waiting,  and  the  workmen 
idling. 

The  trough  of  the  sea  (nau.). 

To  have  an  only  child,  and  that  an 
invalid. 

Anything  that  seems  difficult,  but  is 
really  easy  to  do. 

For  a  trifle  ;  at  a  low  price. 

Boiled  eggs. 

Candied  yolks  of  eggs. 

Feigned  modesty  or  humility. 

In  haste  ;  without  reflection. 

By  stealth. 

Briefly  ;  promptly. 

Departure,  never  to  return. 

Frequent  visits. 

Instead  of  ... ;  in  lieu  of  .  .  . 

He  has  not  his  equal ;  he  is  match- 
less. 

Not  to  be  equalled. 


2S6 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


De  la  primera  impresión. 
Impresiones  peregrinas. 
Congregación  del  índice. 

De  primera  instancia. 

Al  instante. 

Por  instante. 

Interés  de  interés. 

¡  Jaque  mate  ! 

i  Jaque  de  aquí ! 

En  un  decir  Jesús. 

¡  Jesús  mil  veces  ! 

Á  la  gala  del  niño  Jesús. 

Á  grandes,  ó  á  largas  jornadas. 

Al  fin  de  la  jornada. 

Por  jubileo. 

Falto  de  juicio. 

Por  juego  ;  ó  por  modo  de  juego. 

Juego  de  bolos. 

Juego  de  bochas. 

Juego  de  prendas. 

Juego  de  cajoncitos. 

Juego  de  palabras. 

Juego  de  manos. 

Juego  de  pelota. 

Juego  de  coche. 

Juego  de  velas. 

Juez  pesquisidor. 

Á  juicio  de  peritos. 

Por  junto  ;  de  por  junto. 

Justicia,  más  no  por  mi  casa. 

En  justos,  y  en  verenjustos. 

En  justo,  y  en  creyente. 

¡  En  justos,  y  en  creyentes  ! 

Campo  de  labor. 

Al  lado. 

¡  A  un  lado  ! 

De  lado. 

Lago  de  leones. 


To  be  inexperienced. 

Transient  impressions. 

Papal  commission  at  Rome  to  ex- 
amine books. 

Instantly  ;  on  the  first  impulse. 

Immediately. 

Incessantly ;  continually. 

Compound  interest. 

Checkmate  ! 

Away  from  here  !  avaunt ! 

In  an  instant. 

Good  God  ! 

To  appear  very  devout,  yet  go  to 
every  place  of  amusement. 

With  celerity  ;  by  forced  marches. 

At  the  end  ;  at  last. 

Rarely  ;  happening  but  seldom. 

To  be  injudicious,  unwise. 

In  jest. 

Ninepins. 

A  bowling  alley. 

A  game  of  forfeits. 

A  nest  of  small  boxes. 

A  pun ;  a  quibble ;  a  play  upon 
words. 

Juggling  ;  feats  of  dexterity. 

A  tennis  court. 

Running  gear ;  shafts. 

A  complete  suit  of  sails  (nau.). 

Coroner. 

According  to  the  opinion  of  experts. 

In  bulk  ;  by  wholesale. 

Justice,  but  not  against  myself. 

Rightly  or  wrongly. 

At  once  ;  immediately. 

It  is  positively  true  ! 

A  cultivated  field. 

Very  near  by ;  close  at  hand. 

Get  out  of  the  way  ! 

Incidentally. 

A  den  of  lions. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


287 


Lágrimas  de  San  Pedro. 

Lágrimas  de  la  Aurora. 
Poca  lana,  y  esa  en  zarzas. 

A  costa  de  lanas. 
De  lance  en  lance. 

A  pocos  lances. 

De  lance. 

A  laudes. 

A  punta  de  lanza. 

Lanzas. 

Lanza  en  vista. 

A  la  larga. 

Toda  vela  larga. 

A  la  corta,  ó  á  la  larga. 

De  largo  á  largo. 

Largo  de  lengua. 

Leche  de  viejos. 

Leche  de  tierra. 

Como  una  leche. 

A  legua ;  á  la  legua ;  á  leguas  ;  desde 

media  legua. 
Lengua  de  áspid. 
De  lengua  en  lengua. 
Lengua  muerta. 
Lengua  fardida. 
Lengua  de  tierra. 
Media  lengua. 
Mala  lengua. 

Lijero  ó  suelto  de  lengua. 
A  la  letra. 
A  letra  vista, 
i  A  ley  de  caballero,  de  Cristiano  ! 

Ley  del  embudo. 

Libertad  provisional. 


Pebbles  or  stones  thrown  at  any 
person. 

The  morning  dew  (Aurora's  tears). 

But  little,  and  that  little  with  much 
tribulation. 

At  another  man's  expense. 

From  time  to  time  ;  from  one  act 
to  another. 

In  a  short  time,  and  with  little  labor. 

Cheap  ;  at  second  hand. 

At  all  hours  ;  frequently. 

With  effort ;  severely  ;  with  all  one's 
might. 

Duty  paid  by  nobles  in  lieu  of  mili- 
tary service. 

Ready  for  action. 

Slowly  ;  at  length  ;  lengthwise. 

All  sails  set  (nau.). 

Sooner  or  later. 

From  one  end  to  the  other. 

An  impudent,  ill-spoken  person. 

Old  wine. 

Magnesia. 

Very  soft  and  tender. 

Very  far. 

A  sharp,  unscrupulous  tongue. 

From  mouth  to  mouth. 

A  dead  language. 

An  eloquent  person. 

A  tongue  of  land. 

An  indistinct  or  lisping  speech. 

A  slanderer. 

Liiprudently  talkative. 

Literally ;  exactly. 

At  sight. 

LIpon  my  word  !  on  the  word  of  a 

gentleman,  or  a  Christian  ! 
Severity  for  others,    indulgence    for 

ourselves. 
Liberation  on  bail. 


288 


SFAX/SH  IDIOMS. 


Libertad  de  estado. 

El  libro  del  mundo. 

Ligero  de  dedos. 

Á  la  ligera. 

De  ligero. 

Limpio  de  polvo  y  paja. 

En  limpio. 

Lisa  y  llanamente. 

Lista  del  equipaje. 

Del  lobo  un  pelo,  y  ese  de  la  frente. 

Á  tontas,  y  á  locas. 

Á  luengas  vias,  luengas  mentiras. 

Lugares  de  un  combate. 

Lugares  comunes. 

Lugar  de  behetría. 

Á  lumbre  de  pajas. 

Á  lumbre  mansa. 

Ni  por  lumbre. 

Á  buena  luz. 

Á  dos  luces. 

Luz  de  luz. 

Entre  dos  luces. 

La  luz  de  la  razón. 

Á  primera  luz. 

Á  todas  luces. 

A  la  llana. 

De  llano  en  llano. 

Las  llaves  en  la  cinta,  y  el  perro  en 

la  cocina. 
Llaves  de  la  iglesia. 
Llave  capona. 


Llave  maestra. 

Debajo  de  llave,  ó  tras  llave. 

Llave  de  la  mano. 

Lleno  de  bote  en  bote. 

De  lleno ;  ó  de  lleno  en  lleno. 

Madeja  sin  cuerda. 


The  unmarried  state. 

Knowledge  of  the  world. 

Light-fingered. 

Lightly  ;  expeditiously. 

Rashly ;  easily. 

Clear  of  all  charges. 
.  In  substance  ;  net  price. 

Openly  and  frankly. 

Muster-roll  of  a  ship's  company. 

Accept  from  a  miser  anything  which 
he  may  give  you. 

Inconsiderately ;  without  reflection. 

Travellers  tell  strange  tales. 

Quarters  in  a  sea-fight. 

Commonplace  topics. 

A  place  where  perfect  equality  pre- 
vails. 

Very  swiftly. 

On  a  slow  fire. 

By  no  means. 

Carefully  ;  after  due  consideration. 

Ambiguously  ;  in  a  double  sense. 

Reflected  or  borrowed  light. 

Twilight,  morning  or  evening. 

Intuitive  reason. 

At  daybreak ;  evidently. 

Everywhere  ;  in  every  way. 

Simply  ;  candidly  ;  sincerely. 

Totally  ;  completely. 

To  make  a  parade  of  care,  whilst 
being  really  careless. 

Spiritual  power. 

Key  without  wards,  worn  on  the  flap 
of  the  coat  pocket,  by  honorary 
royal  chamberlains  in  Spain. 

A  master-key. 

Under  lock  and  key. 

A  palm's  breadth. 

Full  to  the  brim. 

Entirely  ;  utterly  ;  totally. 

Confused  ;  disordered. 


SPA.VISJI  IDIOMS. 


289 


A  media  niaüera. 
Maderas  de  cuenta. 

Madera  de  respeto. 
Madera  del  aire. 
Madre  patria. 
Madre  del  timón. 

Madre  de  la  rueda  del  timón. 

Madres. 

Maestre  mayor  de  la  maestranza. 

Maestre  de  plata. 

Maestre  de  raciones. 

El  mal  del  milano,  las  alas  quebra- 
das, y  el  pico  sano. 

¡  Mal  haya  ! 

De  mal  en  peor. 

Mal  de  ánimo. 

Mal  que  bien. 

Mal  por  mal. 

Del  mal  el  menos. 

Mal  de  mi  grado  ;  ó  de  su,  ó  de  tu 
grado. 

De  mala  mata,  nunca  buena  zarza, 
ó  buena  caza. 

De  mala. 

De  manera ;  ó  por  manera. 
En  gran  manera. 
Manga  ;  ó  manga  marina. 
Manga  de  navio. 
Manga  de  granaderos. 
Maniobras  altas  ó  bajas. 
Maniobras  de  carena. 
Maniobras  de  combate. 
i  Manos  á  la  obra  ! 
Mano  en  el  juego. 
Á  dos  manos. 
Mano  á  mano. 
Bajo  mano,  ó  de  mano. 


Joined  or  scarfed  timbers  (ñau.). 

The  principal  timbers  in  the  hull  of 
a  ship. 

Spare  masts,  yards,  etc. 

Horns  of  animals. 

Mother-country. 

Main  piece  of  the  rudder,  or  rudder- 
stock  (nau.). 

Barrel  of  the  steering-wheel  (nau.). 

Gallows-beams  (nau.) . 

First  master-ship-builder. 

Supercargo  on  board  the  royal  Span- 
ish galleons. 

Purser  (nau.). 

A  boasting  coward. 

Confound  him  ! 

Worse  and  worse. 

Heart-sore. 

In  whatever  manner. 

For  want  of  something  better. 

The  less  of  two  evils. 

In  spite  of  me,  or  of  him,  or  of  you. 

One  cannot  make  a  silken  purse 
from  a  sow's  ear. 

Deceitfully ;  in  an  underhand  man- 
ner. 

So  that ;  in  such  manner. 

Very  much  ;  in  a  high  degree. 

Hurricane  ;    whirlwind  ;  waterspout. 

Extreme  breadth  of  a  ship. 

A  piquet  of  grenadiers. 

Upper  or  lower  rigging  (nau.). 

Careening  gear  (nau.). 

Preventer  rigging. 

Bear  a  hand  !  to  work  ! 

Deal  in  a  game. 

Willingly  ;  readily. 

In  company ;  familiarly. 

Slyly ;  secretly. 


290 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Á  manos  llenas. 

Á  mano  salva. 

Manos  libres. 

Manos  muertas. 

Artesano  de  manos  primorosas. 

De  ruin  mano,  ruin  dado. 

De  tal  mano,  tal  dado. 

De  buena  mano,  buen  dado. 

Á  mano  salva. 

¡  Á  la  mano  de  Dios  ! 

Manos  de  vaca. 

Manos  de  carnero. 

De  mano  á  boca. 

Juego  de  manteles  adamascados. 

Á  manteniente. 

Manto  caballeroso. 

Manto  capitular. 


De  mañana. 

Hombre  de  mañana. 

Muy  de  mañana. 

Máquina  de  arbolar. 

De  mar  á  mar. 

Baja  mar. 

Mar  llena  ;  ó  plena  ;  ó  plenmar. 

Á  las  maravillas. 

Por  maravilla. 

De  marca. 

Hombre  de  marca. 

De  mas  marca. 

Palos  de  marca. 

Sobre  la  marcha. 

Á  largas  marchas. 

Marea  parada. 

Mareas  vivas. 

Mari-sabidilla. 

Marinero  de  agua  dulce. 


Liberally ;  abundantly. 

Without  risk. 

Emoluments  annexed  to  an  office. 

Mortmain  on  an  inalienable  estate. 

A  neat,  able  workman. 

Meanness  works  its  own  punish- 
ment. 

The  liberal  man  gives  freely. 

Never  fear  evil  from  those  who  are 
good. 

Without  risk. 

To  the  protection  of  God  ! 

Cows'  heels. 

Sheep's  trotters. 

Suddenly ;  unexpectedly. 

A  tablecloth  with  a  dozen  napkins. 

With  all  one's  might ;  firmly. 

A  cloak  formerly  forbidden  to  all  but 
the  nobility. 

A  cloak  worn  by  members  of  mili- 
tary orders  when  assembled  in 
chapter. 

In  the  morning. 

A  procrastinator. 

Very  early  in  the  morning. 

Sheers;  sheer-hulk  (nau.). 

Copiously ;  excessively. 

Low  water  ;  ebb  tide. 

High  water  ;  high  tide. 

Uncommonly  well ;  exquisitely. 

Very  seldom. 

Excellent  of  its  kind. 

A  man  of  eminence. 

Something  very  superior. 

Buoys. 

Off-hand  ;  on  the  spot. 

With  celerity. 

Slack  tide. 

Spring  tides. 

A  blue-stocking. 

A  stay-at-home  traveller. 


SFAA'ISJ/  IDIOMS. 


291 


A  lo  marinero. 

A  martillo. 

De  martillo. 

A  macha  martillo. 

Sin  más  ni  más. 

A  lo  más. 

Ni  más,  ni  menos. 

Más  que  .  .  . ;  ó  más  de  .  .  . 

A  más  de  esto. 

Sin  más  acá,  ni  más  allá. 

De  más  á  más. 

Más  si. 

Más  que. 

A  más  correr. 

A  más  tardar. 

A  más  y  mejor. 

Mascarón  de  proa. 

A  medias. 

En  medio. 

Por  medio  de  .  .  . 

Médico  de  apelación. 

A  medida  del  deseo. 

A  medida,  ó  á  sabor  de  su  palabra. 

Á  medida  de  .  .  . 

Mejor  que  mejor. 

A  lo  mejor. 

A  cual  mejor. 

De  memoria. 

Flaco  de  memoria. 

Hombre  menudo. 

Menudos. 

Por  menudo. 

A  la  menuda. 

Merced  de  tierra. 

Muchas  mercedes  ;  o  muchas  gracias. 

¡  Brava  mermelada  ! 

Mesa  de  milanos. 

Mesa  redonda. 

Media  mesa. 


In  a  seamanlike  manner. 

With  strokes  of  the  hammer. 

Wrought  metal. 

Firmly ;  strongly. 

Without  more  ado  ;  heedlessly. 

At  most. 

Exactly ;    neither    more    nor    less ; 

equally. 
More  than  .  .  . ;  but  ... 
Besides  this. 
Without  ifs  or  ands. 
More  and  more  still. 
Perhaps  ;  if. 
Although  ;  even. 
With  the  utmost  speed. 
At  latest. 

Greatly  ;  highly  ;  at  best. 
The  figure-head  of  a  ship. 
By  halves. 
In  the  middle. 
By  means  of  .  .  . 
A  consulting  physician. 
According  to  one's  wishes. 
To  his  heart's  content. 
By  degrees  ;  in  proportion ;   at  the 

same  time  as  .  .  . 
Much  better. 
When  least  hoped. 
To  a  wish. 
By  heart. 
A  forgetful  man. 
A  poor,  miserable  fellow. 
Small  copper  coin. 
Minutely  ;  by  retail. 
By  retail. 
A  grant  of  land. 
Many  thanks  for  your  kindness. 
A  pretty  mess  ! 
A  scanty  table. 
Table  d'hote  in  a  hotel. 
Servants'  table. 


Z'Á 


SPAA'ISH  IDIOMS. 


Mesa  traviesa. 

Mesas  de  guarnición. 

Mesas  de  guarnición  de  palo  mayor. 

Mesas  de  guarnición  del  trinquete. 

Mesilla  corrida. 

Miedo  cer\'al. 

Á  migajadas. 

Vida  y  milagros. 

Mina  amparada. 

Lo  mió,  mió  ;  y  lo  tuyo  de  entream- 

bos. 
La  mitad  y  otro  tanto. 


La  mitad  del  año  con  arte  y  engaño, 
y  la  otra  mitad  con  engaño  y  arte. 
De  molde. 

Moliente  y  corriente. 
Molino  de  sangre. 
Al  momento. 
Por  momentos. 
Momento  de  buen  tiempo. 
Mondo  y  lirondo. 
Moneda  de  vellón. 
Moneda  sonante. 
Casa  de  moneda. 
Moneda  de  duendes. 
Monte  alto. 
Monte  bajo. 

Monte  de  piedad  ;  ó  monte  pío. 
Montes  hiemales. 

Montón  de  gente. 

Montón  de  tierra. 

Á  montones. 

De  montón  ;  ó  en  montón. 


Cross-table  in  the  refectory  of  a 
convent,  where  the  superior  sits. 

Channels  to  which  the  shrouds  are 
fastened  (nau.). 

Main  channels  (nau.). 

Fore-channels  (nau.). 

Landing-place  on  a  staircase. 

Great  timidity. 

By  small  instalments. 

Life,  character,  and  behavior. 

A  mine  upon  which  the  assessment 
work  has  been  done. 

What  is  mine  is  mine  ;  what  is  yours 
is  ours. 

The  half,  and  as  much  more  (twice 
as  much  as  half).  Used  to  avoid 
a  direct  answer  as  to  quantity  and 
number. 

Without  any  visible  means  of  liveli- 
hood. 

In  print ;  published  ;  to  the  purpose. 

Right ;  just ;  exact. 

Mill  turned  by  men  or  animals. 

In  a  moment ;  immediately. 

Successively ;  continually. 

An  interval  of  good  weather. 

Pure  ;  without  admixture. 

Copper  coin  ;  token  money. 

Specie. 

Mint. 

Small  copper  coin. 

A  lofty  forest. 

A  copse  or  grove. 

A  government  pawn-broking  office. 

Mountains  covered  with  perpetual 
snow. 

A  crowd. 

A  very  old  and  infirm  person. 

Abundantly ;  in  quantity. 

Together  ;  without  separation  or  dis- 
tinction. 


SPAXISII  IDIOMS. 


293 


Sobre  ello,  morena. 
Color  mortecino. 
Mosca  en  leche. 

Mosca  muerta. 

Bravo  troncho  de  mozo. 

Mozo  de  garabato. 

Al  mozo  alcucero  amo  roncero. 

De  mozo  á  palacio,  de  viejo  á  beato. 

A  mozo  amañado,  la  mujer  al  lado. 

Muela  ó  rueda  de  molino. 

Muelas  de  gallo. 

En  una  muerte. 

Buena  muerte. 

Bajo  pena  de  muerte. 

A  muerte,  ó  á  vida. 

Mujer  de  gobierno,  ó  mujer  de  su 
casa. 

Mujer  varonil. 

Mujer  de  bigotes. 

Mujer  de  estado  honesto. 

La  primera  mujer  escoba,  y  la  segun- 
da señora. 

La  mujer  y  la  galga  en  la  manga. 

La  mujer  y  la  sardina  de  rostros  en  la 

ceniza. 
A  la  mujer  casta  Dios  la  basta. 
Muerte  arrebatada. 
Pan  de  munición. 
De  munición. 
Música  ratonera. 

Con  la  música  á  otra  parte. 

Pues  no. 

En  menos  de  nada ;  ó  en  una  nada. 

Nada  entre  dos  platos. 

Ventanas  de  la  nariz. 


If  you  do  not,  you  will  be  punished. 

A  pale  or  deathly  color. 

A  brown  or  black  woman  dressed  in 

white. 
A  person   spiritless  in  api)earance, 

but  not  in  reality. 
A  stout,  well-disposed  youth. 
A  thief. 

A  greedy  boy  needs  a  severe  master. 
The  young  love  amusement ;  the  old, 

virtue. 
An  industrious  young  man   should 

marry  early. 
Millstone. 

As  toothless  as  a  cock. 
Li  intolerable  pain. 
A  good  end  ;  a  contrite  death. 
On  pain  of  death. 
Kill  or  cure  ;  at  all  risks. 
Housekeeper ;  or  woman  skilled  in 

feminine  pursuits. 
A  masculine  woman. 
A  clever,  commanding  woman. 
A  spinster. 
x^  man  often  treats  his  second  wife 

better  than  his  first. 
A  little  woman  and  a  small  dog  are 

the  best. 
The    fireside   duties  are  best  for  a 

woman. 
God  protects  a  virtuous  woman. 
A  sudden  death. 
Bro\\Ti  bread  for  the  soldiers. 
Done  in  a  hurry,  and  therefore  badly. 
Harsh    music    (of    instruments    or 

voices). 
Dismissing  a  person  who  annoys  one. 
But  no  ;  not  so. 
In  an  instant. 
Much  cry  and  little  wool. 
The  nostrils. 


294 


SPAXIS/I  IDIOMS. 


En  derecho  de  las  narices. 
Natural  y  figura,  hasta  la  sepultura. 

Navio  de  agüente. 
Navio  de  media  garra. 

Boda  de  negros. 

Niños  de  la  doctrina. 

Ni  al  niño  el  bollo,  ni  al  Santo  el 

voto. 
Desde  niño. 
j  Que  niño  envuelto  ! 
Á    la   noche    chichirinoche,  y  á  la 

mañana  chichirinada. 
La  noche  de  marras. 
Noche  buena. 
Noche  toledana. 
Noche  y  dia. 
Nombre  de  pila. 
Buena  ó  mala  nota. 
El  nuncio  ;  ó  la  casa  del  nuncio. 
Obenquitos  del  juanete  mayor. 
Obenque  partido. 
Obra  de  Romanos. 

Obra  en  pecado  mortal. 
La  obra  del  Escorial. 

Por  ocasión. 

De  oculto. 

En  oculto. 

Oficial  mayor. 

Oficial  retirado. 

Oficio  de  concejo,  honra  sin  pro- 
vecho. 

De  oidas. 

Ojo  de  gallo. 

Hasta  los  ojos. 

Ni  los  ojos  á  las  cartas,  ni  las  manos 
á  las  arcas. 

Ojo  marginal,  al  canto,  ó  al  margen. 


Selfish  care  for  one's  own  interest. 
Original  disposition  and  temper  are 

hard  to  change. 
A  ship  crowding  sail  (nau.). 
A   vessel   that    carries    no   topsails 

(nau.). 
A  noisy  rout  and  conñ.ision. 
Charity  children. 
Never  leave  a  promise  unfulfilled. 

From  infancy. 
What  foolishness  ! 
Inconstant. 

That  night  you  remember  (long  ago) . 

Christmas. 

A  restless  night. 

Always ;  constantly. 

Christian  name. 

Good  or  bad  standing  in  society. 

The  mad-house  in  Toledo. 

Maintop-gallant  shrouds  (nau.). 

A  shroud  carried  away  (nau.). 

Anything  which  is  very  difficult  of 

accomplishment. 
Work  which  fails  to  attain  its  object. 
Said  of  a  thing  that  is  very  long  in 

doing. 
By  chance. 
Incognito. 
Secretly. 
Chief  clerk. 
Half-pay  officer. 
Those  who  serve  a  republic  must  do 

it  for  honor,  not  gain. 
By  hearsay. 
Red,  sparkling  wine. 
To  the  utmost. 
Neither  be  inquisitive  nor  dishonest. 

A  marginal  note. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


295 


¡  Ojo  á  la  margen  ! 
Á  ojo  de  buen  cubero. 
Á  ojos  vistos. 
Á  ojo. 

Á  los  ojos  de  alguno. 
Al  ojo. 

Cuan  lejos  de  ojo,  tan  lejos  de  cora- 
zón. 
Por  onzas. 
Las  oraciones. 

Á  la  oración  en  punto. 
Con  las  orejas  tan  largas. 
Animal  de  cuatro  orejas. 
Á  la  orilla. 
De  oro  y  azul. 
Como  oro  en  paño. 

¡  Orza  á  la  barba  ! 

¡  A  orza  ! 

Otro  que  tal. 

Cada  oveja  con  su  pareja. 

Ovejas  y  abejas  en  tus  dehesas. 


Oveja  chiquita,  cada  año  corderita. 

¡  Mi  padre  ! 

Nuestros  patires  á  pulgadas,  y  no- 
sotros a  brazadas. 

Los  padres  á  yugadas,  y  los  hijos  á 
pulgadas. 

De  padre  santo,  hijo  diablo. 

Á  padre  endurador,  ó  guardador, 
hijo  gastador  ;  ó  á  padre  ganador, 
hijo  desprendedor. 

Un  padre  para  cien  hijos,  y  no  cien 
hijos  para  un  padre. 

En  tres  pagas. 


Attend  to  what  you  are  about  ! 

At  random  ;  without  measuring. 

Visibly  ;  clearly  ;  openly. 

By  the  quantity. 

Face  to  face. 

At  sight. 

Out  of  sight,  out  of  mind. 

With  a  sparing  hand. 

The  Ángelus  ;  the  bell  that  calls  to 

the  Ángelus ;  vespers. 
At  early  candlelight. 
With  great  care  and  attention. 
Horned  animals,  especially  the  bull. 
In  close  proximity  ;  very  near. 
Dressed  in  one's  very  best. 
We  show  our  value  of  things  by  the 

care  we  take  of  them. 
Hard-a-lee  !  (nau.). 
Luff!  luff! 
Another  such. 
Like  seeks  like. 
Keep  your  sheep  and  your  bees  in 

your   own   domain  if  you  would 

profit  by  them. 
Small    persons    look    younger   than 

they  are. 
No,  indeed  !  never  ! 
What  the   father  saves  the  children 

squander. 
Even  a  large  inheritance  seems  small, 

when  divided  among  many  heirs. 
Good  parents  have  sometimes  bad 

children. 
Miserly   parents   have   often    spend- 
thrift children. 

The  love  of  parents  for  their  chil- 
dren is  greater  than  that  of  chil- 
dren for  their  parents. 

Late  ;  badly,  or  never,  paid. 


296 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


En  daca  las  pajas,  ó  en  alza  allá  esas 

pajas. 
¡  Chico  pájaro  para  tan  gran  jaula  ! 

Corta  pala. 
De  palabra. 
Sobre  ó  bajo  su  palabra. 

Palabra  de  rey. 

Á  la  primera  palabra. 

Á  media  palabra. 

Buenas  palabras. 

Palabras  mayores. 
Palabras  de  presente. 
Palabras  de  matrimonio. 
Palabras  de  oráculo. 

Palabras  de  buena  crianza. 

En  una,  en  dos,  ó  en  pocas  palabras. 

Palabras  fórmulas. 

Palabra  pesada. 

De  palabra  en  palabra. 

Palabras  de  la  ley. 
Palabras  ásperas. 
Palabra  picante. 
Palabras  al  aire. 
Palabra  preñada. 

Medias  palabras. 
Palabras  libres. 
De  paleta  ;  ó  á  pelo. 
En  dos  paletas. 
Un  palmo  de  tierra. 

Palmo  á  palmo. 


The  speed  or  facility  with  which  a 
thing  can  be  done. 

A  small  bird  for  so  large  a  cage  ! 
(ridicule  of  pretension). 

Slow  ;  dull ;  awkward. 

A  verbal  promise,  without  security. 

Upon  his  word  {i.e.,  without  other 
security). 

An  asseveration  of  truth  (by  the  word 
of  the  king). 

At  the  first  word  (denoting  quick- 
ness of  apprehension). 

With  half  a  word  (denoting  facility 
of  persuasion). 

The  soft  words  which  turn  away 
wrath. 

Injurious  or  insulting  expressions. 

The  words  of  betrothal. 

A  promise  of  marriage. 

Oracular  or  enigmatical  words  used 
to  disguise  one's  meaning. 

Expressions  of  courtesy. 

In  a  few  words  ;  briefly. 

Exact  words  used  in  quoting ;  ver- 
batim. 

An  insulting  word. 

Words  lead  to  more  words  and  dis- 
pute. 

Actionable  words. 

Hard,  bitter  words. 

A  stinging,  sharp  word. 

Words  not  worthy  of  notice. 

A  word  or  sentence  conveying  a 
double  meaning. 

Words  intentionally  mumbled. 

Indecent  words  or  expressions. 

Opportunely. 

Shortly ;  briefly. 

A  span,  or  very  small  amount  of 
land. 

Inch  by  inch  ;  with  great  difficulty. 


SPAA7S//  IDIOMS. 


297 


Á  palos. 

De  tal  palo,  tal  astilla ;  ó  astilla  del 

mismo  palo. 
Pan  de  la  boda. 
Á  pan  y  cuchillo. 
Á  pan  y  manteles. 
Pan  de  perro. 
Pan  bazo. 
Del  ruin  paño  nunca  buen  sayo. 

Paños  calientes. 

En  paños  menores. 

Papel  volante. 

Escritor  de  papilones  sueltos. 

De  par  en  par. 

Á  la  par. 

Á  pares. 

Á  par  de  .  .  . 

Números  pares. 

Pares  y  nones. 

Sin  qué  ni  para  qué. 

Para  con  él,  no  vale  nada. 

Para  eso. 

Paro  en  uno. 

¡  Para  esta  ! 

Para  entre  los  dos. 

¿  Para  qué  ? 

Para  conmigo. 

Al  parecer. 

Por  el  bien  parecer. 

Pared  de  cal  y  canto. 

De  ocho  dias  á  esta  parte. 

Por  todas  partes. 

De  parte  á  parte. 

De  parte. 

De  pasada. 

Paseante  en  corte. 

Un  buen  pasar. 


Forcibly ;  violendy. 

A  chip  of  the  same  block  ;  like  pro- 
duces like. 

Wedding  cake  ;  honeymoon. 

Familiarly  ;  assiduously  ;  frequently. 

Bed  and  board. 

Very  bad  bread. 

Brown  bread. 

You  can  never  make  a  silken  purse 
of  a  sow's  ear. 

Endeavors  to  stimulate  a  person  to 
effort. 

In  dishabille. 

A  small  pamphlet. 

A  pamphleteer. 

Wide  open. 

Jointly ;  equally. 

By  pairs  ;  two  and  two. 

Near  ;  joining  ;  like  ... 

Round  or  even  numbers. 

Odd  or  even. 

Without  rhyme  or  reason. 

According  to  him,  it  is  worth  noth- 
ing. 

For  so  much  ;  for  that. 

To  one  and  the  same  end. 

You  will  pay  for  that ! 

Between  us  two. 

Why? 

Compared  with  me. 

Seemingly  ;  to  all  appearance. 

To  save  appearances. 

A  wall  of  rough  stone  and  mortar. 

Within  these  last  eight  days. 

On  all  hands  ;  on  all  sides. 

From  side  to  side  ;  through. 

By  orders  ;  by  command. 

On  the  way  ;  in  passing. 

One  who  has  neither  office,  employ- 
ment, nor  money. 

A  competency  or  maintenance. 


29S 

¡  Santas  pascuas  ! 
Al  paso  del  buey. 
Mas  que  de  paso. 
Á  buen  paso. 
Á  cada  paso. 
Vista  de  paso. 
Al  paso  que  .  .  . 
Pasta  ;  ó  buena  pasta. 
Á  pasto. 
A  todo  pasto. 
Pastor  universal. 
Á  pata  la  llana. 

Á  pata. 
Patas  arriba. 
Patas  de  perdiz. 
Á  la  pata  coja. 

El  pato  y  el  lechon,  del  cuchillo  al 

asador. 
Patron  de  bote,  ó  de  lancha. 
Entrada  de  pavana. 
Pasos  de  pavana. 
Bandera  de  paz. 
Gente  de  paz. 

En  haz  y  en  paz. 

En  paz. 

¡  Pecador  de  mi ! 

Entre  pecho  y  espalda. 

Numerata  pecunia. 

¡  Pedazo  del  alma  ! 

¡  Pedrada  !  ó  ¡  pedradas  ! 

Á  sobre  peine. 

Muerte  pelada. 

Pellizco  de  monja. 

Pelo  arriba  ;  ó  á  contra-pelo. 

A  pelo  ;  ó  al  pelo. 

Gente  de  pelo. 

De  medio  pelo. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Be  it  so  ! 

Very  slowly. 

Quickly ;  in  haste ;  hastily 

Fast ;  quickly. 

Frequently. 

A  cursory  view. 

At  the  same  time  that .  . . ;  whilst  .  .  , 

Excessive  meekness  and  mildness. 

Abundantly  ;  plentifully. 

A  prescribed  diet. 

The  Pope. 

Plainly ;  without  ornament  or  affec- 
tation. 

On  foot. 

Upside  down. 

A  person  wearing  red  stockings. 

Hopscotch  (a  game  played  by  hop- 
ping on  one  foot). 

Ducks  and  pigs  should  not  be  kept 
long  before  cooking. 

Cockswain  of  a  boat. 

Unseemly  pretension. 

A  grave,  steady  gait. 

A  flag  of  truce. 

A  friend  (answer  to  "  Who  goes 
there?"). 

With  one's  consent. 

Quits  ;  clear. 

Sinner  that  I  am  ! 

In  the  stomach. 

Ready  money. 

My  dear  !  my  love. 

You  deserve  to  be  stoned  ! 

Lightly ;  slightly. 

Baldhead  (a  nickname). 

A  lozenge  ;  a  sugar-drop. 

Against  the  grain. 

With  the  grain. 

Rich  people. 

Belonging  to  the  middle  class  of 
society. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


299 


En  pelo. 

Á  medios  pelos. 

Pelos  y  señales. 

Pena  aflictiva. 

A  penas. 

Ni  pena,  ni  gloria. 

Cuenta  pendiente. 

Deuda  pendiente. 

A  pendón  herido. 

En  un  pensamiento. 

Ni  por  pensamiento. 

Á  peonza. 

Como  pera  en  tabaque. 

Percances  ó  gajes  del  oficio. 

De  pérdida. 

Pan  perdido. 

Perdices  en  campo  raso. 

Con  perdón. 

Pereza,  llave  de  pobreza. 

De  perilla,  ó  de  perlas. 

Perro  viejo. 

Todo  junto,  como  al  perro  los  palos. 

Como  perro  con  vejiga,  con  cencerro, 

con  maza,  ó  con  cuerno. 
A  trágala  perro. 
¡  A  otro  perro  con  ese  hueso  ! 
Mal  que  le  pese. 

A  peso  de  oro,  de  plata,  ó  de  dinero. 
En  peso. 
Pez  con  pez. 
A  pica  seca. 
Pico  de  oro. 
Pico  de  un  ancla. 
Pico  de  viento. 


Barebacked. 

Half-seas  over. 

The  special  circumstances  by  which 

we  know  a  thing. 
Corporeal  punishment. 
As  soon  as. 

With  complete  indifference. 
An  unsettled  account. 
A  balance  unpaid. 
With  all  speed  and  diligence. 
Quickly  \  immediately. 
Not  even  in  thought. 
On  foot. 
Like  a  pear  in  a  work-basket  (said 

of  things  carefully  secreted). 
The  drawbacks  to  an  office  or  em- 
ployment. 
In  a  hazardous,  perilous  manner. 
One  who  becomes  a  vagrant. 
Partridges  in  the  open  field  (said  of 

things  difficult  to  obtain). 
Under  favor  ;  with  your  leave. 
Sloth  opens  the  door  to  poverty. 
To  the  purpose  ;  at  a  proper  time  ; 

excellently. 
A  clever,  experienced   man  (an  old 

dog). 
The  day  of  reckoning  may  be  long 

in  coming,  but  it  comes  at  last. 
Like  a  dog  with  his  tail  between  his 

legs. 
Forcibly ;  with  violence. 
Tell  that  to  marines  ! 
In  spite  of  him. 

To  succeed  by  means  of  money. 
In  the  air. 

Quite  empty ;  unoccupied. 
With  great  labor,  and  without  utility, 
A  man  of  great  eloquence. 
The  fluke  of  an  anchor  (n:ai.). 
With  the  wind  in  the  face. 


300 

Picos  y  cabos  pendientes. 

El  pié  del  dueño,  estiércol  para  la 

heredad. 
Pié  con  bola. 

A  los  pies  de  V. 
Al  pié  de  la  obra. 
Al  pié  de  la  letra. 
Á  pié  juntillo. 
Del  pié  á  la  mano. 
En  un  pié  de  tierra. 
Al  pié  de  la  hora. 
Siete  pies  de  tierra. 
A  pié  quedo. 
En  pié. 

Pié  ante  pié. 
A  pié  firme. 
A  pié  llano, 

¡  Pié  á  tierra  !  • 

A  piedra  y  á  lodo. 

A  piedra  perdida. 

Ni  por  pienso. 

A  moda  de  pierna  de  nuez. 

Las  piernas  de  una  nuez. 

Pierna  de  una  sábana. 

La  pierna  en  el  lecho,  y  el  brazo  en 

el  pecho. 
A  pierna  suelta,  ó  á  pierna  tendida. 

i  Buena  ó  gentil  pieza  ! 
Pieza  de  leva. 

Pieza  por  pieza. 
Piloto  de  altura. 
Piloto  práctico. 
Como  un  pino  de  oro. 
Á  pino. 


SPAÁ'ISH  IDIOMS. 


Odds  and  ends. 

The  presence  of  the  master  is  essen- 
tial to  the  prosperity  of  the  estate. 

Exactly ;  neither  too  much  nor  too 
little. 

At  your  service. 

At  once  ;  without  delay. 

Literally. 

Tenaciously. 

In  an  instant. 

Very  shortly. 

Instantly ;  without  delay. 

The  grave. 

Motionless  ;  without  trouble. 

Constantly ;  firmly ;  erectly  ;  up- 
rightly. 

Step  by  step. 

Steadfastly. 

On  even  ground  ;  easily  ;  commo- 
diously. 

Alight  from  your  horse  ! 

Hermetically  sealed. 

To  pile  stones  loosely. 

Not  even  by  a  thought. 

Not  done  conscientiously ;  care- 
lessly ;  obliquely. 

The  lobes  of  a  walnut. 

One  of  the  breadths  of  a  sheet. 

We  must  employ  the  proper  means 
if  we  would  attain  our  objects. 

At  one's  ease  ;  without  care  ;  com- 
fortably. 

A  fine  fellow  !  (sometimes  ironical). 

The  gun  fired  by  vessels  on  setting 
sail. 

With  great  care  ;  minutely. 

Pilot  of  the  high  seas. 

Coast  pilot. 

To  be  upright,  elegant. 

Upright  (applied  to  bells  which  are 
half-turned  in  ringing). 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


301 


Al  mas  pintado. 

Á  picjue  .  ,  . 

Piojo  pegadizo. 

Como  piojo  en  costura. 

Á  pistos. 

Pistolas  de  arzón. 

Cuando  pitos  flautas,  cuando  flautas 

pitos. 
¡  A  placer  ! 

A  plana  renglón. 

Plantas. 

De  planta. 

A  las  plantas  de  V. 

En  plata. 

Como  una  plata. 

De  plática  en  plática. 

En  pública  plaza. 

A  pleito. 

Pleito  bueno,  ó  malo,  de  tu  mano  el 

escribano. 
Plenitud  de  los  tiempos. 
A_  plomo. 
Buena  pluma. 
Golpe  de  pluma. 

Plumada  de  tinta. 
Pobreza  nunca  alza  cabeza. 
Poco  á  poco. 
De  poco  tiempo  acá. 
Hombre  para  poco. 
A  poco. 

A  pocos  ;  por  poco  ;  en  poco. 
El  pollo  cada  año,  y  el  pato  madri- 
gado. 
Pollo  con  espolones. 
Gente  de  polvillo. 
Polvos  de  la  madre  Celestina. 

Limpio  de  polvo  y  paja. 


To  the  wisest,  the  most  able. 

In  danger ;  on  the  point  of  .  .  . 

A  troublesome  hanger-on. 

An  intruder. 

Little  by  little  ;  by  driblets. 

Horse-pistols. 

Events  are  sometimes  the  reverse  of 

expectations. 
With  the  greatest  pleasure  ;  at  one's 

pleasure. 
Copied  word  for  word  ;  arriving  just 

in  time. 
Boasts. 

Anew  ;  from  the  foundation. 
Your  most  obedient  servant. 
Briefly ;  without  circumlocution. 
Shining  like  silver,  clean  and  pretty. 
From  word  to  word. 
Li  public. 
On  condition. 
It  is  well  to  have  the  judges  on  one's 

side  m  a  lawsuit. 
At  the  appointed  time. 
Perpendicularly.    ' 
A  good  penman. 
A  stroke  of  the  pen ;    a  dash  with 

a  pen. 
A  penful  of  ink. 
Nobody  notices  the  poor. 
Gently  ;  softly  ;  little  by  little. 
Latterly. 

A  coward  ;  a  pusillanimous  man. 
Immediately  ;  in  a  short  time. 
To  be  very  near  a  thing. 
Eat  chickens  when  young,  and  ducks 

when  they  are  older. 
A  man  getting  into  years. 
Day  laborers. 
Any    secret    or    miraculous    way    of 

doing  a  thing. 
Free  from  all  char2:es. 


302 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Un  polvo. 

Por  tanto  ó  por  ende. 

Por  San  Juan. 

Por  cé,  ó  por  bé. 

Por  acá,  ó  por  allá. 

Por  mas  que,  ó  por  mucho  que. 

Por  si  acaso. 

Sin  qué  ni  por  qué  ;    ó  sin  que  ni 

para  qué. 
¡  Si  por  cierto  ! 
De  por  sí. 
Por  tanto. 
Por  cuanto. 
Por  entre. 
Porción  congrua. 

Á  porfía. 

Posada  con  asistencia. 

Posibles. 

Á  posta. 

Por  la  posta. 

Á  la  postre. 

Por  ñn  y  postre. 

Potencias. 

Lo  último  de  la  potencia. 

Potencias  de  una  pieza. 

Predio  rústico. 

Predio  urbano. 

Casa  de  prendas. 

Prendas. 

Juego  de  prendas. 

La  presente. 

Preso  por  uno,  preso  por  ciento. 

De  prestado. 

Prestigio  de  la  elocuencia. 

De  presto. 

De  buenas  á  primeras. 

Primos. 


A  pinch  of  snuff. 

For  that ;  for  so  much. 

About  midsummer. 

By  hook  or  by  crook. 

ilere  or  there. 

In' vain. 

If  by  chance. 

Without  rhyme  or  reason. 

Yes  indeed  !  certainly  ! 

By  itself. 

Wherefore. 

Whereas. 

Through. 

Money  paid  for  the  subsistence  of  a 
priest. 

In  an  obstinate  manner. 

Board  and  lodging. 

Means  ;  wealth  ;  income. 

Designedly ;  on  purpose. 

With  all  speed  ;  in  haste. 

In  the  long  run  ;  at  last. 

Finally. 

The  nine  rays  about  the  infant  Jesus. 

The  utmost  effort  one  can  make. 

The  range  of  a  piece  of  artillery. 

A  piece  of  arable  ground. 

A  dwelling-house  in  town  or  country. 

Second-hand  furniture  shop. 

Endowments ;  accomplishments. 

A  game  of  forfeits. 

These  presents  {i.e.,  the  paper  I  am 
now  writing) . 

In  for  a  penny,  in  for  a  pound. 

For  a  short  time. 

Power  of  eloquence. 

Promptly  ;  swiftly. 

All  at  once  ;  rashly  ;  without  reflec- 
tion. 

Cousins  (a  title  given  by  the  kings 
of  Spain  to  the  grandees). 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


303 


Primo  hermano. 
En  pro. 

Hombre  de  pro. 
¡  Buena  pro  ! 
Por  nuestra  proa. 
Promotor  fiscal. 

De  pronto. 
Un  pronto. 
Por  el  pronto. 
Primer  pronto. 
Propio  marte  ó  ingenio. 
Al  propio. 

Junta  ó  sesión  de  propios  y  de  arbi- 
trios. 
Á  proposición. 

Á  propósito. 
De  propósito. 
Fuera  de  propósito. 
Hombre  de  provecho. 
¡  Buen  provecho  ! 

Auto  de  providencia. 
Á  prueba  de  bomba. 
Á  prueba  y  estese. 

Á  prueba  ;  de  prueba. 

A  puerta  cerrada. 

A  cada  puerta  su  dueña. 

De  puerta  en  puerta. 
A  esotra  puerta. 

A  las  puertas  de  la  muerte. 

Derechos  de  puertas. 

Puerto  habilitado. 

¿Y  pues? 

¡  Pues  si ! 

¿  Pues  y  qué  ? 

Puesta  de  sol. 


A  first  cousin. 
In  favor  of. 
A  worthy  man. 
Much  good  may  it  do  you  ! 
Ahead  of  us  (nau.). 
A  secular  or  ecclesiastical  attorney- 
general. 
Without  premeditation. 
A  sally. 
Provisionally. 
First  moment. 
By  one's  own  efforts. 
Properly. 
Committee  of  ways  and  means. 

Conformably ;  proportionally ;  as 
far  as. 

By  the  by  ;  for  the  purpose. 

On  purpose. 

Untimely  ;  inconveniently. 

A  useful  man. 

May  it  do  you  much  good  !  (used  at 
meals). 

Provisional  judgment. 

Bomb  proof;  satisfactorily. 

Stopped  or  delayed  without  being 
despatched. 

Firm  ;  solid. 

Secretly. 

In  the  care  of  a  household  nothing 
must  be  neglected. 

Begging  from  door  to  door. 

That  won't  do  ;  nothing  can  per- 
suade me  to  the  contrary. 

Very  near  death's  door. 

Entry  dues. 

A  port  of  entry. 

Well,  and  what  of  that? 

Yes  indeed  !  (ironical). 

Why  not  ?  what  else  ?  what  then  ? 

Sunset. 


¿Q-\ 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


A  pujos. 

Por  sus  pulgares. 

A  pulso. 

Puntada  de  costado. 

De  puntillas. 

Hombre  ó  mujer  de  punto. 

Punto  crudo. 

A  punto  crudo. 
Punto  de  apoyo. 

Punto  de  meditación. 

Punto  en  voca. 

Punto  menos. 

A  buen  punto. 

Punto  por  punto. 

Al  punto. 

Al  punto  que. 

Por  punto  general. 

A  punto  fijo  ;  con  puntualidad. 

A  puñados. 

De  puro. 

A  quema  ropa. 

Fuera  de  quicio. 

Quiebras  del  terreno  ó  de  la  tierra. 

Bien  ó  mal  quisto. 

Rabia  de  hambre. 

Filo  rabioso. 

Ración  de  hambre. 

Buen  radero. 

De  raiz. 

Bienes  raices. 

Á  raja  tabla. 

Raja  broqueles. 

De  rama  en  rama. 

En  rama. 

Ramillete  de  Constantinople. 


Slowly ;  with  difficulty. 

To  do  a  thing  without  help. 

With  the  strength  of  the  hand. 

A  stitch  in  the  side. 

Softly  ;  gently  ;  on  tiptoe. 

A  man  or  woman  of  distinction. 

The   moment   in  which   something 

happens. 
Late ;  inopportunely. 
The  fulcrum  of  a  lever  ;    the  point 

round  which  a  wheel  moves. 
The  theme  or  topic  of  a  speech  or 

dissertation. 
Silence. 

A  trine  smaller. 
Opportunely  ;  just  in  time. 
With  all  its  details  ;  point  for  point. 
At  once ;  immediately. 
As  soon  as  ;  at  the  time. 
As  a  rule  ;  generally. 
Exactly  ;  with  certainty. 
Plentifully  ;  abundantly. 
Extremely  ;  by  dint  of. 
Very  close ;  contiguous. 
Violently ;  unnaturally. 
Undulations  of  the  ground  or  sur- 
■  face. 
Well  received,  generally  beloved  ;  or 

the  contrary. 
Desperate  hunger. 
A  wire  edge. 
A  scanty  allowance. 
A  ship  easy  at  her  anchors  (nau.). 
From  the  root ;  entirely. 
Landed  property. 
Courageously ;  vigorously. 
Braggart. 

Changing  continually. 
Raw  material ;  crude  stuff. 
A  pyramid  of  fruits  and  sweetmeats 

served  at  table. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


305 


Á  rapa  terrón. 

Ojos  rasgados. 

Boca  rasgada. 

Caballero  raso. 

Soldado  raso. 

Tiempo  ó  cielo  raso. 

Cielo  raso  de  una  cama. 

Al  raso. 

Al  cabo  de  un  rato. 

Buen  rato. 

De  rato  en  rato ;  ó  á  ratos. 

Á  ratos  perdidos. 

Á  Dios,  hasta  otro  rato. 

Raya  muy  alto. 

Razón  de  pié  de  banco 


Razón  adelantada. 

Por  razón. 

Á  razón  de  catorce. 

En  razón. 

Con  mi  real  y  mi  pala. 

Un  real  sobre  otro. 

Real  de  agua. 


De  arrebato. 

Campana  de  arrebato. 

En  un  arrebato. 

En  rebeldía. 

De  rebozo. 

A  recado  ;  á  buen  recado  ;  á  mucho 

recado. 
Mal  recado. 
Á  red  barredera. 
Al  rodapelo. 
De  refresco. 
Á  regaña  dientes. 
Á  regla. 


reason ;     a    groundless 
an  unsatisfactory  expla- 


Entirely  ;  from  the  root. 

Large  or  full  eyes. 

A  wide  mouth. 

A  private  gentleman. 

A  common  soldier  ;  a  private. 

Clear  weather  ;  clear  sky. 

Canopy  of  a  bed. 

In  the  open  air. 

After  a  little  time. 

A  good  while. 

From  time  to  time  ;  occasionally. 

In  leisure  hours. 

Farewell  till  another  time. 

He    stands    very   high    in    his    pro 

fession. 
An   absurd 

motive  ; 

nation. 
A  precocious  mind. 
Consequently. 

Want  of  punctuality  in  accounts. 
With  regard  to. 
With  my  money  and  my  labor. 
Cash  down. 
Water  flowing  through  an   aperture 

the    size   of  a  real,  similar  to  a 

miner's  inch. 
Suddenly. 
Alarm  bell ;  tocsin. 
At  the  first  impulse. 
By  default. 
Secretly. 
Well  guarded  ;  with  great  care  and 

attention. 
A  bad  or  mischievous  action. 
In  a  destructive  manner. 
Against  all  rule  and  reason. 
Anew ;  once  more. 
Reluctantly ;  with  reluctance. 
Regularly ;  prudently. 


306 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Regla  y  compás,  cuanto  más. 

Regla  fija. 

Por  lo  regular. 

Relación  jurada. 

Relación  de  ciego. 

De  relance. 

De  remate. 

Por  remate. 

Sin  remedio. 

Á  remiendos. 

A  remo  y  sin  sueldo. 

Á  remo  y  vela. 

A  repelones. 

De  repelón. 

De  repeso. 

De  repuesto. 
Memoria  resbaladiza. 
De  resbalón. 
Caso  resen-ado. 

En  resolución. 
De  respeto. 
Al  respeto. 

Responsabilidad  solidaria. 
Una  respuesta  agria. 
A  resto  abierto. 
En  revancha. 
A  revuelta. 
Al  revés  ;  del  revés. 
Revés  de  la  medalla. 
Al  revés  me  la  vestí,  y  ándese  asi. 
A  media  rienda. 
A  rienda  suelta. 
A  todo  rigor. 
En  rigor. 
A  rio  revuelto. 

A  rio  revuelto   ganancia  de  pesca- 
dores. 
La  risa  del  conejo. 


Order   is    Heaven's   first   law ;    the 

more  order,  the  better. 
Standard. 

Commonly ;  generally. 
Deposition  under  oath. 
Anything  read  monotonously. 
Fortuitously  ;  by  chance. 
Utterly ;  irremediably. 
Finally. 
Without  fail. 
Piecemeal. 
Labor  in  vain. 
Very  expeditiously. 
By  degrees  ;  little  by  little. 
By  the  way  ;  in  haste. 
With   one's  whole    force,  moral   or 

physical. 
Extra  ;  spare  ;  by  way  of  precaution. 
A  treacherous  memory. 
Erroneously ;  unsteadily. 
A   great   crime  which  none   but  a 

superior  can  absolve. 
Li  short ;  in  a  word. 
For  ceremony's  sake. 
Relatively ;  respectively. 
Joint  responsibility. 
A  keen  reply. 
Without  limit. 

In  revenge  ;  in  return  :  in  exchange. 
Conjointly. 

On  the  contrary  ;  upside  down. 
Diametrically  opposite  in  character. 
Utterly  heedless  and  careless. 
At  half  speed. 
Quickly  ;  fast. 

If  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst. 
At  most. 

In  confusion  and  disorder. 
There  are  always   some  who  profit 

by  confusion. 
An  hvsteric  laus:h. 


SPANIS/Í  IDIOMS. 


307 


El  pilón  de  la  romana. 
Romería  de  cerca,  mucho  vino  y  po- 
ca cera. 
Rompe  escjuinas. 
De  rompe  y  rasga. 
Rompe  galas. 
Parte  de  rosario. 

Rosca  de  pan. 

Rosca  de  mar. 

Á  roso  y  villoso. 

Á  rostro  firme. 

De  rota  ;  ó  de  rota  batida. 

Rueda  del  pavo  real. 

Rueda  del  salmón,  ú  otro  pescado. 

Mas  ruido  que  nueces. 

Dos  al  saco,  y  el  saco  en  tierra. 

Sacristan  de  amen. 

De  sacudida. 

Con  su  sal  y  pimienta. 

Sala  de  mil  y  quinientas. 

Mil  y  quinientas. 

De  salto  ;  de  un  salto. 

Salto  de  trucha. 

Salto  de  viento. 

Salto  de  corazón. 

Á  salto  de  mata. 

Á  saltos. 

Por  salto. 

Á  saltos  y  corcovos. 

Señor  de  salva. 

Salvo  ende. 

A  su  salvo. 

A  sangre  y  fuego. 


The  drop-ball  of  a  steelyard. 

Pilgrimages  are  often  pretexts  for 
diversion. 

Bullies. 

Undaunted. 

One  who  goes  carelessly  dressed. 

A  third  part  of  the  rosary,  or  five 
tens. 

A  twisted  loaf  of  bread. 

Sea  biscuit. 

Totally  ;  without  exception. 

Resolutely. 

In  a  sudden,  careless  manner. 

The  spread  tail  of  a  peacock. 

A  round  slice  of  salmon,  or  other 
fish. 

More  noise  than  nuts ;  much  cry 
and  little  wool. 

Between  two  stools  one  falls  to  the 
ground. 

One  who  blindly  adheres  to  the 
opinion  of  another. 

Resulting  from. 

With  labor  and  difiiculty ;  with  in- 
tent to  mortify  another. 

The  supreme  court  of  appeals  in 
Spain. 

Lentiles. 

On  a  sudden. 

Tumbling  ;  tricks  played  by  contor- 
tions of  the  body. 

A  sudden  shifting  of  the  wind. 

Palpitation  ;  foreboding. 

By  flight  for  fear  of  punishment. 

By  leaps;  by  jumps. 

Irregularly ;  by  turns. 

By  fits  and  starts. 

A  person  of  great  distinction. 

Except. 

To  one's  satisfaction. 

\\'ith  blood  and  fire  ;  mercilessly. 


308 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Sanguijuelas  del  estado. 

Carta  de  sanidad. 

Casa  de  sanidad. 

En  un  santiamén. 

Santificación  de  las  fiestas. 

Entre  santa  y  santo,  pared  de  cal  y 

canto. 
Santo  y  bueno. 

Á  santo  tapado. 

Todo  el  santo  dia. 

Santo  de  pajares. 

Santo  varón. 

Todos  los  Santos. 

La  ultima  sardina  de  la  banasta. 

Con  satisfacción. 

Saya  saya. 
Saya  entera. 
Á  su  sayo. 

Á  la  sazón. 

Á  secas. 

Á  gran  seca,  gran  mojada. 

En  seco. 

Navio  á  palo  seco. 

Á  seco  y  sin  llover. 

Secretario  del  despacho. 

Secreto  de  achuelo. 

Secreto  á  voces  ;  ó  secreto  con  chi- 

rimias. 
Seda  de  candongo. 

Según  y  cómo. 

De  ó  por  segunda  mano. 

La  segur,  ó  la  cuchilla  de  la  ley. 

La  segur,  ó  la  guadaña  de  la  parca. 

Á  buen  seguro. 

Al  seguro  ;  en  seguro. 

De  seguro. 


Sinecure  offices   (drawing   pay,  but 

doing  nothing  for  it) . 
A  bill  of  health. 
Health  office. 
Directly ;  instantly. 
The  keeping  of  holidays. 
Shun  temptation. 

All  right ;    I  agree  with  you ;   well, 

well! 
Cautiously ;  clandestinely. 
The  whole  day. 
Hypocrite. 

A  harmless  simpleton. 
All-saints'  day. 

The  last  shift ;  last  expedient. 
Without   ceremony ;    in   a   friendly 

manner. 
Chinese  silk. 
A  dress  with  a  train. 
Of  one's  own  accord  ;  in  one's  own 

mind. 
Then  ;  at  that  time. 
Alone ;  singly. 
There  is  reason  in  all  things. 
Without  cause  or  motive. 
Ship  under  bare  poles  (nau.). 
Unexpectedly. 
Secretary  of  state. 
An  open  secret. 
A  secret  disclosed  while  pretending 

concealment. 
The  finest  silk,  reeled  up  into  small 

skeins. 
Just  so. 

At  second  hand. 
The  invincible  force  of  the  law. 
The  shears  of  the  fates. 
Certainly ;  indubitably. 
Securely  ;  in  safety  or  security. 
Assuredly. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


309 


Sobre  seguro. 

Compañía  ú  oficina  de  seguros. 

Dia  entre  semana. 

Ni  por  semejas. 

Semillero  de  vicios. 

Sendos  tragos  de  vino. 

Sendos  golpes. 

Sendas  cosas. 

Con  todos  sus  cinco  sentidos. 

En  mi  sentir. 

Por  señas,  ó  por  mas  señas. 

En  señal  .  .  . 

Señales  de  hacerse  á  la  vela. 

Señales  de  broma. 

Señor  de  horca  y  cuchillo. 

En  ser, 
Al  sereno. 

Por  sí,  ó  por  no ;  si  acaso,  ó  por  si 

acaso. 
Si  bien. 

Un  si  es  no  es. 
De  por  sí. 

Hasta  la  consumación  de  los  siglos. 
Siglo  de  hierro,  de  oro,  ó  de  plata. 
Por,  ó  en,  los  siglos  de  los  siglos. 
Buen  siglo. 
Silla  de  manos. 
Silla  de  posta. 
Hombre  de  ambas  sillas,  ó  de  todas 

sillas. 
De  silla  á  silla. 

Sin  qué  ni  para  qué ;  ó  sin  por  qué. 
Sin  embargo. 
Sin  pies  ni  cabeza. 
Sin  un  cuarto. 
No  sino. 
No  sino  no. 
Real  sitio. 
So  color. 


Confidently. 

Insurance  company  or  office. 

A  week  day. 

By  no  means  ;  nothing  of  the  kind. 

A  hot-bed  of  vice. 

Large  draughts  of  wine. 

Heavy  blows. 

Famous  things. 

With  all  attention  ;  very  carefully. 

In  my  opinion. 

As  a  still  stronger  proof  of  it. 

In  proof  of  .  .  . 

Sailing  signals  (nau.). 

Fog  signals  (nau.). 

The  feudal  lord  who  had  right  of  life 

and  death  over  his  serfs. 
In  existence  ;  in  being. 
In  the    night    air ;  exposed    to    the 

evening  dew. 
If;  by  chance  ;  at  any  rate. 

Although. 

Something  ;  even  a  little. 

Apart ;  separately. 

To  the  end  of  time. 

The  iron,  golden,  or  silver  age. 

For  ever  and  ever. 

Eternal  life  ;  eternal  bhss. 

Sedan  chair. 

A  post-chaise. 

A   man   of  general  inxormation ;   a 

clever  fellow. 
Face  to  face. 
Without  cause  or  motive. 
Notwithstanding ;  however. 
Without  method  or  order. 
Penniless. 
Not  only  so. 
It  cannot  be  otherwise. 
The  king's  country  residence. 
Under  color  ;  on  pretence. 


lio 


SPAXISII  IDIOMS. 


De  so  uno. 

De  sobra. 

Sobre  sí. 

Sobre  comida. 

Sobre  manera. 

Á  sobre  viento. 

De  socapa. 

Á  socapa. 

El  socorro  de  España. 

Al  sol  puesto. 

Soles. 

De  sol  á  sol. 

Á  solas. 

Á  sus  solas. 

Á  solape  ;  ó  á  solapo. 

Á  la  soldadesca. 

Resolución  solemne. 

Pobre  de  solemnidad. 

Ni  por  sombra. 

Sombras  ;  ó  sombras  invisibles. 

Sombrero  acantilado. 

En  son. 

Sin  ton  y  sin  son. 

¿  Á  qué  son  ?  ó  ¿  á  son  de  que  ? 

Sonda  del  escandallo. 

Sopetón  de  molino. 

De  sopetón. 

A  la  sordina. 

Á  lo  sordo  ;  á  la  sorda  ;  á  sordas. 

Dolor  sordo. 

Sorpresa  de  una  carta. 

Á  sotavento. 

Banda  de  sotavento. 

Costa  de  sotavento. 

De  tres  ó  cuatro  suelas. 

Tonto  de  cuatro  suelas.     , 

Suelda  á  libra,  ó  por  libra. 

Sin  suelo. 

Suelo  del  estribo. 


Conjointly  ;  at  one  time. 

Over  and  above  ;  superfluously. 

Selfishly  ;  carefully. 

After  dinner. 

Excessively ;  irregularly. 

Suddenly ;  unexpectedly. 

Secredy. 

On  pretence  ;  under  color. 

Tardy  arrival  of  necessary  succor. 

At  nightfall ;  at  sunset. 

Sparkling,  bright  eyes. 

From  sunrise  to  sunset. 

Alone  ;  unaided. 

Quite  alone  ;  in  solitude. 

Furtively  ;  secretly. 

In  a  soldierly  manner. 

A  decisive  resolution. 

A  poor  man  in  real  distress. 

By  no  means. 

Dance   behind   a   curtain,  to   show 

only  shadows. 
Hat  cocked  in  sharp  points,  worn 

in  the  almshouses  in  Spain. 
In  such  a  manner  ;  apparently. 
Without  rhyme  or  reason. 
With  what  motive  ? 
Lead  soundings. 

Bread  toasted,  and  steeped  in  oil. 
Suddenly ;  without  warning. 
Secretly ;  privately. 
Silently  ;  quietly. 
A  dull  pain. 

The  act  of  intercepting  a  letter. 
Under  the  lee  (nau.). 
Lee  side  of  the  ship  (nau.). 
Lee  shore  (nau.). 
Firm  ;  solid. 
A  downright  fool. 
Rated  at  so  much  per  pound. 
To  excess  ;  without  bounds. 
The  rest  of  a  stirrup. 


SJ'AÁ7S//  IDIOMS. 


311 


Suelto  de  lengua. 
Á  sueño  suelto. 
Ni  por  sueño. 
El  sueño  de  la  liebre. 
De  la  misma  suerte. 
Suerte  y  verdad. 

De  suerte. 

Suma  del  frente  ;  ó  suma  de  la  vuelta. 

De  surtido. 

Sus  de  gaita. 

En  sustancia. 

Sutileza  de  manos. 

Tabla  de  la  vaca. 

Tabla  rasa. 


Dinero  en  tabla. 

A  la  tabla  del  mundo. 

Tabla  de  rio. 

Tabla  de  cuentas. 
Á  raja  tabla. 

Tablas  reales. 

Por  tablilla. 

Tablilla  de  mesón. 

Tablilla  de  santero. 

Tal  para  cuál,  Pedro  con  Juan ;   ó 

Pascuala  con  Pascual. 
Tal  para  cuál. 

Tal  por  cuál. 
Otro  que  tal. 

A  medra  talla. 
A  tambor. 
Tanto  que. 
Tanto  monta. 

Tanto  por  tanto  ;  ó  al  tanto. 


Audacious  freedom  of  speech. 

Without  care. 

By  no  means,  not  even  in  a  dream. 

A  hare's  slee])  {i.e.,  feigned V 

The  same  way. 

Appeal  for  justice,  from  players  to 
spectators. 

So  that ;  so  as  ;  thus. 

Pirought  forward. 

In  common  use. 

Any  light,  airy  thing  ;  a  whiff. 

Briefly ;  summarily. 

Manual  dexterity ;  slight-of-hand. 

A  group  of  noisy  people. 

The  unwritten  page  of  an  iniant's 
mind  ;  canvas  prepared  for  paint- 
ing. 

Cash  ;  ready  money. 

To  the  public  ;  in  public. 

A  part  of  a  river  without  perceptible 
current. 

The  multiplication  table. 

Strongly ;  vigorously ;  with  one's 
whole  strength. 

Backgammon  table. 

Indirectly. 

Sign  of  an  inn. 

The  poor-box  of  a  hermit. 

One  is  as  bad  as  the  other. 

Every  one  with  his  like  ;    tit  for  tat ; 

a  Roland  for  an  Oliver. 
Worthless  ;  of  no  importance. 
Similar ;   very  much  alike  ;    equally 

worthless. 
Carelessly ;  perfunctorily. 
Beating  the  drum. 
As  much  as. 
It  is  as  good  as  the  other ;  it  is  all 

the  same. 
At  the  same  price. 


312 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Tantos  á  tantos. 

En  su  tanto. 

La  mitad  y  otro  tanto. 

Tanto  uno  como  otro. 

Tanto  monta. 

Algún  tanto. 

En  tanto,  entre  tanto. 

Por  lo  tanto. 

Tanto  cuanto. 

Ni  tanto,  ni  tan  poco. 

De  tapadilla. 

De  tapaditas. 

De  tarde  en  tarde. 

Tarde  mal  y  nunca. 

Tarde  ó  temprano. 

Tarde  que  temprano. 

Tea  de  la  discordia. 

Teas  maritales. 

De  tejas  abajo. 

Tejado  de  un  rato,  labor  para  todo 
el  año. 

Sin  tela  ni  contienda. 

Cada  loco  con  su  tema.. 

Á  tema. 

Al  temple. 

Teneduría  de  libros. 

Teniente  de  oidos. 

A  tente  bonete  ;  ó  hasta  tente  bo- 
nete. 

Tercero  en  discordia. 

En  tercio  y  quinto. 

En  buenos  términos. 

En  términos  hábiles. 

¿  En  qué  términos  ? 

En  términos  terminantes. 

En  un  término  medio ;  ó  en  tanto 

proporcional. 
Término  medio  aproximativo. 


Equal  numbers. 
Proportionally. 
The  whole. 

Both  one  and  the  other. 
It  is  all  the  same. 
A  httle. 

In  the  meanwhile. 
For  the  same  reason. 
As  much  as. 

Neither  too  much  nor  too  little. 
Without  ceremony  or  show. 
Behind  the  curtain. 
Now  and  then  ;  occasionally. 
Slow  and  unpunctual. 
Sooner  or  later. 
Early  or  late. 

Anything  producing  discord  or  mak- 
ing mischief. 
Hymeneal  torches. 
In  a  natural  order. 
Hasty  work  calls  for  long  repairs. 

Without  a  trial  at  law. 

Every  one  has  his  hobby. 

Emulously ;  obstinately. 

Painted  in  distemper. 

Book-keeping. 

Deaf ;  hard  of  hearing. 

Extremely ;  excessively. 

Umpire  between  disputants. 

To  surpass  another  very  much. 

In  plain  terms. 

On  reasonable  terms ;  so  as  not  to 

injure  another. 
Upon  what  terms? 
In  definite  terms  ;  with  propriety  or 

punctuality. 
On  an  a\-erage. 

A  rough  average. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


313 


Medio  término. 

Medios  términos. 

Malos  términos. 

Un  terno  de  diamantes. 

Temo  seco. 

Terrones. 

Terrón  de  sal. 

Á  rapa  terrón. 

En  casa  de  tía,  mas  no  cada  día. 

Tiempo  aquilonal. 

En  tiempo  hábil. 

Con  tiempo. 

Cual  el  tiempo,  tal  el  tiento. 

Tiempo  de  Maricastaña ;  ó  del  ti- 
empo de  Maricastaña. 

Cada  cosa  en  su  tiempo,  y  los  nabos 
en  adviento. 

A  tientas. 

Tierra  yerma. 

Tierra  de  sacamanchas. 

Tierra  pingué. 

Tierra  limpia. 

La  tierra  ó  el  pais  de  janja. 

La  tierra  del  pipiripao. 
La  primera,  y  esa  en  tierra. 

En  cada  tierra  su  uso,  y  en  cada 

casa  su  costumbre. 
Tierra  de  año  y  vez. 

Como  tierra. 

Tierra  á  tierra. 

Tieso  de  cogote. 

Buena  tijera. 

De  buena  tinta. 

De  una  tirada ;  ó  en  una  tirada. 


Any  prudent  step,  or  middle   path 

taken  to  settle  an  affair. 
Evasions,  by   which   one   avoids  a 

disagreeable  subject. 
Rudeness  ;  discourtesy. 
A  set  of  diamonds. 
A  happy  and  unexpected  fortune. 
Landed  property. 
A  great  wit. 
Entirely ;  completely. 
We  must  not  wear  out  our  welcome, 

even  in  the  house  of  a  relative. 
The  winter  season. 
Within  the  appointed  time. 
Prematurely ;  in  advance. 
Act     according    to    circumstances, 

with  judgment. 
That  is  a  very  old  story  or  thing. 

Everything  at  its  own  time. 

Obscurely ;  doubtfully'. 

Uncultivated  ground. 

Fuller's  earth. 

Fertile  land. 

Flat  countr}^ ;  clear  land. 

A  place  where  people  can  live  com- 
fortably without  labor. 

The  home  of  luxury. 

Failure  in  the  first  thing  that  one 
undertakes. 

When  in  Rome,  do  as  the  Romans 
do. 

Land  under  cultivation  in  alternate 
years. 

Abundantly ;  lavishly. 

Cautiously ;  securely. 

Stiff-necked  ;  vain  ;  obstinate. 

A  good  tailor  ;  a  good  eater. 

Efficaciously ;  ably. 

At  one  stretch. 


314 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Tiro  de  una  mina. 

Á  tiro  de  piedra. 

Casi  á  tiro  de  flecha. 

Pistola  de  tres  tiros. 

Á  tiro  de  escopeta. 

Á  tiro  de  ballesta. 

De  un  tirón. 

Á  título. 

De  todo  en  todo  ;  ó  en  todo  y  por 

todo  ;  ó  en  un  todo. 
¡  Todo  el  mundo  abajo  ! 
Todo  un  Dios. 

Con  todo  eso. 

En  un  todo. 

Á  todo. 

Del  todo. 

En  todo  y  por  todo. 

Sobre  todo. 

Toldo  del  alcázar. 

Toldo  de  combes. 

Á  topa  tolondrón. 

Á  tolondrones. 

Toma  de  razón. 

Una  toma  de  quina. 

¡  Toma  ! 

De  tomo  y  lomo. 

Sin  ton  ni  son. 

Tonto  de  capirote. 
Á  tontas  y  á  locas. 
Á  tope  ;  ó  al  tope. 

Hasta  el  tope. 
De  tope  á  tope. 

Toque  á  muerto. 

El  último  toque  (de  una  campana). 

El  primer  toque  (de  un  tambor) . 

Toque  de  luz. 

Torno  de  hilar. 


The  shaft  of  a  mine. 
Within  a  stone's  throw. 
About  an  arrow's  flight. 
A  three-barrelled  pistol. 
Within  gunshot. 
At  a  great  distance. 
At  once  ;  at  one  stroke. 
On  pretence  ;  under  pretext. 
Altogether ;  absolutely. 

All  hands  below  !  (nau.). 

The  whole  power  of  God  (used  to 
indicate  great  difiiculty). 

Notwithstanding ;  however. 

Together  ;  in  all  its  parts. 

As  most. 

Entirely ;  quite. 

Wholly ;  absolutely. 

Principally ;  specially. 

Quarter-deck  awning  (nau.). 

Main  deck  awning  (nau.). 

Inconsiderately ;  rashly. 

Precipitately ;  giddily. 

Entries  in  account-books. 

A  dose  of  quinine. 

There  !  what !  well ! 

Of  weight ;  of  importance. 

Without  motive  or  cause ;  without 
rhyme  or  reason. 

A  great  fool ;  an  idiot. 

Foolishly ;  madly. 

Junction  ;  union  ;  conjointly  ;  con- 
tiguously. 

Up  to  the  top  or  brim. 

From  point  to  point ;  from  end  to 
end. 

The  passing-bell. 

The  last  peal  of  the  bell. 

The  ñrst  beat  of  the  drum. 

Light  in  a  picture. 

Spinning-wheel. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


315 


Torno  de  aspas. 

En  torno. 

Tortas  y  pan  pintado. 


Paso  de  tortuga. 

Á  tragos. 

Á  un  traidor  dos  alevosos. 

Trampa  adelante. 


Á  todo  trance. 

Trance  apretado. 

En  dos  trancos. 

Á  trancos. 

Un  transporte  de  cólera. 

Á  todo  trapo. 

Con  un  trapo  atrás,  y  otro  adelante. 

Tras  tras. 

Trastras. 

Á  trasmano. 

Por  el  trapaso. 

Á  trasquilones. 

Sin  trastes. 

Trastos  de  cocina  de  fierro. 

Trastos  excusados. 

Trastos. 

Por  el  través  de  las  barbas. 

Por  el  través  de  Margate. 

Viento  por  el  través. 

De  través  al  través. 

Por  el  través. 

Por  la  proa  del  través. 

Por  la  popa  del  través. 

Bien  ó  mal  trazado. 

Á  la  trinca. 

Trincas  de  bauprés. 

Á  la  trocada  ;  ó  á  la  trocadilla. 


Windlass. 

Round  about. 

These  are  trifles  in  comparison  to 
what  is  to  come  (said  to  those 
who  complain  of  small  things). 

A  snail's  pace. 

By  degrees  ;  slowly  ;  gently. 

A  traitor  does  not  deserve  honest 
treatment. 

Deceitful  procrastination ;  borrow- 
ing with  one  hand  to  pay  with  the 
other. 

Resolutely  ;  by  no  means. 

Imminent  danger. 

Briefly  ;  swiftly. 

In  haste  ;  in  a  trice. 

A  fit  of  anger. 

With  all  one's  might. 

To  be  in  extreme  poverty. 

Repeated  strokes  or  noises. 

The  last  but  one  (in  boy's  play). 

Out  'Of  the  usual  way. 

For  the  good  will. 

Irregularly ;  rudely. 

Without  order  or  method  ;  without 
head  or  tail. 

Hollow  kitchen  utensils. 

Useless  lumber. 

Useful  arms. 

Athwart  the  hawse  (nau.). 

Abreast  of  Margate  (nau.) . 

Wind  on  the  beam  (nau.). 

Across,  athwart,  the  beam  (nau.). 

On  the  beam  (nau.). 

Before  the  beam  (nau.). 

Abaft  the  beam  (nau.). 

A  person  of  good  or  bad  disposition 
or  figure. 

Close  hauled  (nau.). 

Gammoning  of  the  bowsprit  (nau.). 

In  the  contrar)'  sense  ;  in  exchange. 


316 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


A  trompa  y  talega. 
A  trompa  tañida. 
¡  Pobre  trompeta  ! 
Tropa  de  marina. 
En  tropa. 
•  De  tropel. 
A  tropezones. 
¡  Arde  Troya  ! 
Trozo  de  madera. 
Trozo  de  abordaje. 

A  trueco ;  ó  á  trueque  de  .  .  . 

A  tú  por  tú. 

A  tuertos,  ó  tuertas. 

A  tuertas,  ó  á  derechas. 

A  tuerto  ó  á  derecho  nuestra  casa 

hasta  el  techo. 
Al  tuerto  tuerto,  la  cabra  y  el  huerto. 

Hasta  los  tuétanos. 

Tumbo  de  olla. 

Tumbo  de  dado. 
Tumbo  de  mar. 

De  turbio  en  turbio. 

Turno. 
Por  su  turno. 
Tutela  dativa. 
Tuyos. 

Por  último. 

A  últimos  del  mes  ó  semana. 

Una  y  no  más. 

Uno  dijo. 

Uno  á  otro. 

Uno  á  uno  ;  uno  por  uno. 


Helter-skelter. 

At  the  sound  of  a  trumpet. 

Poor,  miserable  fellow  !    Poor  devil ! 

Marines. 

In  crowds  ;  without  order. 

Tumultuously  ;  in  a  throng. 

With  a  variety  of  obstructions. 

Proceed  with  the  disorder  !  (ironical). 

A  log  of  wood. 

A  division  of  the  crew  appointed  to 

board  an  enemy's  ship  while  in 

action. 
So  that ;  provided  that  .  .  . 
Familiar,  disrespectful  treatment. 
On  the  contrary  ;  on  the  wrong  side. 
Right  or  wrong. 
Ambitious  persons  are  unscrupulous. 

In  bad  years  combine  the  work  of 

gardener  and  goatherd. 
With    vigor    and    activity ;    to    the 

quick. 
What  remains  in  the  pot  when  the 

meat  is  taken  out. 
Imminent  peril. 
The  breaking  of  the  waves  on  the 

shore. 
Sleepy    (on   account   of  a   wakeful 

night) . 
By  turns. 
In  one's  turn. 

Guardianship  ordered  by  a  court. 
Friends  or  relatives  of  the   person 

addressed. 
Lastly ;  finally. 
At  the  latter  part  of  the  month  or 

week. 
Never  ;  no  more. 
It  was  said. 

One  another ;  reciprocally. 
One  by  one. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


317 


Uno  que  otro. 
Uno  tras  uno. 
Á  una. 

Una  por  una. 
Ya  uno  ya  otro. 
Largo  de  uñas. 
Uñas  de  la  gran  bestia. 
De  uñas  á  uñas. 
Uñas  del  ancla. 
Ropa  usada. 
Al  usado. 

Á  uso  ;  ó  al  uso. 
Vaca  de  San  Anton. 
Vaca  de  la  boda. 

Vaca  V  carnero,  olla  de  caballero. 


De  vacío  ;  en  vacío. 

Ni  al  vado,,  ni  á  la  puente. 

En  vago. 

Voz  vaga. 

Vaina  abierta. 


De  vaina  abierta. 

So  vaina  de  oro,  cuchillo  de  plomo. 
Vale  real ;  ó  vales  reales. 
Hambre  y  valentía. 

Menos  valer. 

Á  las  valias. 
Valido  de  favor. 
Valiza  terrestre. 
Hasta  el  valle  de  Josafat. 
Valor  recibido  .  .  . 
Valor  contante. 


A  few. 

In  succession. 

With    one    accord ;    in    sympathy ; 

joindy. 
At  all  events  ;  at  any  rate  ;  certainly. 
By  turns. 
A  thief. 
Elk's  hoofs. 
From  head  to  foot. 
The  flukes  of  an  anchor. 
Cast-off  clothing. 
The  date  fixed  for  payment  of  bills 

of  exchange. 
According  to  custom. 
Lady-bird. 
One    to   whom    everybody    applies 

when  in  distress. 
In  old  times,   a  house  where  beef 

and    mutton    were    supplied   was 

sure    to    be    a  wealthy   establish- 
ment. 
Empty  ;  unemployed  ;  void. 
The  business  is  paralyzed. 
Unsteadily ;  unsettled. 
A  vague  report. 
Scabbard  covering  only  one- third  of 

the  sword,  that  it  might  be  easily 

drawn. 
Hastily;  boldly. 
Never  trust  to  appearances. 
Government  bonds. 
Misery  and  ostentation  ;  pride  and 

poverty. 
Loss  of  the  privileges  of  nobihty  or 

other  rights. 
At  the  very  highest  price. 
Confident  of  favor. 
Landmark. 

Until  the  Day  of  Judgment. 
For  value  received. 
Cash  value. 


318 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


Una  vana  y  dos  vacias. 

Con  vara  alta. 

Varas  de  luz. 

Varas  de  San  José. 

Las  varas. 

Gorrión  con  vareta. 

Santo  varón. 

Varón  de  Dios. 

Buen  varón. 

Varón  del  timón. 

Á  las  vegadas. 

Á  las  veinte. 

En  vela. 

Á  la  vela. 

Juego  de  velas. 

Aferramiento  de  las  velas. 

Vencimiento  de  plazo. 

Al  vencimiento  del  plazo. 

Después  de  vendimiar,  cuevanos. 

Venta  confidencial. 

La  ventura  de  garcia. 

Con  muchas  veras. 

Verbos. 

Verdad  de  perogrullo. 

Verdad  desnuda. 

Á  mala  verdad. 

Vericuetos. 

Vestido  y  calzado. 

Á  la  vez  ]  ó  por  vez  ;  ó  á  veces. 

En  vez. 

Tal  vez. 

Tal  cual  vez. 

Una  que  otra  vez. 

Á  mala  vez. 

De  vez  en  cuando. 

De  una  ria  dos  mandados ;  ó  de  un 

campo  dos  mandados. 
¡  Á  la  via  el  timón  ! 

Viaje  redondo. 
Vicario  de  coro. 


To  speak  much  to  little  purpose. 

With  a  high  hand. 

Meteors. 

Tuberoses. 

The  shafts  of  a  carriage. 

A  little  man  with  a  long  sword. 

A  good,  but  not  a  clever,  man. 

A  holy,  virtuous  man. 

A  wise  and  learned  man. 

Rudder  pendent  (nau.). 

At  times  ;  by  turns. 

Unseasonably. 

Vigilantly;  without  sleep. 

Prepared  ;  ready. 

A  full  suit  of  sails  (nau.). 

The  furling  of  the  sails  (nau.). 

Maturity  of  a  bill  of  exchange. 

At  the  time  when  the  bill  falls  due. 

The  day  after  the  fair ;  too  late. 

A  sale  on  credit. 

Misfortune  (ironical). 

Very  earnestly. 

Oaths  ;  angry  expressions. 

A  self-evident  truth. 

The  naked  truth. 

Deceitfully  ;  fraudulently. 

Strange  or  absurd  ideas. 

Without  labor. 

Successively ;  by  turns. 

Instead  of  ...  ;  in  place  of  .  .  . 

Perhaps  ;  seldom  ;  once  in  a  way. 

On  an  unusual  occasion  ;  seldom. 

Sometimes  ;  every  now  and  then. 

Hardly  ;  with  difficulty. 

From  time  to  time. 

To  kill  two  birds  with  one  stone. 

Word  of  command,  Helm    a   mid- 
ship !  (nau.). 
Voyage  out,  and  home  again. 
Superintendent  of  the  choir. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


319 


Vicario  pedáneo. 

De  vicio. 

De  mala  vid,  mal  sarmiento. 

¡  Vida  mia  ;  ó  mi  vida  ! 

Vida  canonical. 

Vida  y  milagros  de  una  persona. 

Gran  vida. 

ft 

De  por  vida,  ó  vitalicio. 
Vidrio  cascado. 
Viejo  verde. 
Cosas  de  vientos. 
Contra  viento  y  marea. 

Al  villano  con  la  vara  del  avellano. 


Villano  harto  de  ajos. 

En  vilo. 

Vino  de  dos,  tres,  ó  mas  hojas. 

Vino  de  agujas. 

La  viña  del  Señor. 

Como  por  viña  vendimiada. 

Traga  virotes. 

Varita  de  virtudes. 

Visión  beatífica. 

Visitador  de  registro. 

Viso  de  altar. 

Á  dos  visos. 

En  vísperas  de  .  .  . 

Vísperas  Sicilianas. 

Á  vista  de  .  .  . 

Vista  de  un  pleito  ;  ó  dia  de  la  vista 

de  un  proceso,  ó  una  causa. 
Cosa  no  vista  ;  ó  nunca  vista. 


One  who  has  authority  over  a  dis- 
trict only. 

By  habit,  or  custom. 

Evil  things  cannot  produce  good 
results. 

My  love  !  my  darling  ! 

A  life  surrounded  by  comforts. 

A  person's  deeds  (generally  in  a 
bad  sense). 

A  comfortable  life.         y 

For  all  one's  life. 

A  singer  who  has  lost  his  voice. 

A  strong,  healthy  old  man. 

Useless,  vain  things. 

Against  common  sense  (against 
wind  and  tide). 

An  ill-disposed  person  must  be  co- 
erced, not  only  by  words,  but  by 
force. 

An  ill-bred,  clownish  person. 

In  the  air  ;  insecurely. 

Wine  of  two,  three,  or  more  years 
old. 

Wine  of  a  sharp  acid  taste. 

The  church. 

Easily ;  freely. 

A  starched  coxcomb. 

A  juggler's  wand. 

Celestial  bliss. 

Searcher  of  goods  on  board  ship  ; 
tide  waiter  (nau.). 

Small  embroidered  cloth  placed  be- 
fore the  Eucharist. 

With  a  double  design. 

On  the  eve  of  .  .  . 

Sicilian  vespers  (a  threat  of  general 
punishment) . 

In  the  presence  of  .  .  . 

The  day  appointed  for  a  lawsuit. 

Something  wonderful  and  stransre. 


320 

En  vista  de  .  .  . 

Á  escala  vista. 

Las  vistas. 

Visto  que  .  .  . 

La  viveza  de  los  ojos. 

Al  vivo. 

Copia  al  vivo. 

Viva  voz. 

Cal  viva. 

Ni  muerto  ni  vivo. 

Á  viva  fuerza. 

En  andas  y  volandas. 

Papeles  volantes. 

Sello  volante. 


De  un  voleo  ;  ó  del  primer  voleo. 
De  voluntad  ;  ó  de  buena  voluntad. 

Voto  en  Cortes. 
Voto  á  Dios. 
Voto  á  tal. 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


¡  Voto  á  chápiro  ! 
Á  voz  de  apellido. 


a  voces  ;  a  voz  en 


En  voz. 

A  voz  en  cuello 

grito. 
Á  una  voz. 
Á  media  voz. 
Voz  vaga. 
Voz  argentada. 
Voz  activa. 
Á  vuelo ;  ó  al  vuelo ;   de  vuelo  ;  ó 

en  un  vuelo. 
Á  una  vuelta  de  dado. 
¡  Otra  vuelta  ! 

Á  vuelta  de  cien  pesos. 


In  consequence  of  ... ;  in  consid- 
eration of  .  .  . 

Openly ;  without  defence. 

Bridal  gifts. 

Considering  that  .  .  . 

The  brilliancy  or  fire  of  the  eyes. 

To  the  life  ;  very  like  the  original. 

Facsimile. 

By  word  of  mouth. 

Quicklime. 

Something  cannot  be  found. 

By  force  ;  without  sparing  any  effort. 

In  a  twinkling  ;  in  an  instant. 

Short,  easily  disseminated  writings 
(generally  satire  or  libel). 

Unsealed  letter,  to  be  read  by  those 
to  whose  care  it  is  addressed. 

Quickly  ;  at  one  stroke. 

Willingly ;  with  pleasure ;  grate- 
fully. 

A  deputy  in  the  Cortes. 

An  oath  of  menace. 

An  oath  indicating  disgust  and  ven- 
geance. 

Good  gracious  ! 

By  summons  from  church  or  assem- 
bly. 

Verbally. 

In  a  loud  voice  ;  shouting. 

By  common  consent ;  unanimously. 

In  a  low  tone. 

A  vague  or  unauthorized  rumor. 

A  clear  and  sonorous  voice. 

The  right  to  vote. 

Flying  expeditiously,  quickly. 

At  the  cast  of  a  die  ;  at  a  great  risk. 
Again  !  (expression  of  impatience  at 

having  to  do  a  thing  again) . 
About  a  hundred  dollars. 


Sr.l.V/S//  /D/OMS. 


321 


Á  vuelta  de  Niividad,  ó  de  Enero. 

Á  vuelta  de  cabeza,  ó  de  ojo. 

Vuelta  de  podenco. 

Á  la  vuelta. 

La  vuelta  del  humo. 

Muy  vuestro. 

Vuestra  Señoría. 

Ya  que  .  .  . 

¡  Ya  si  ! 

Yelmo  de  torneo. 

Yelmo  alado. 

Yema  de  dedo. 

En  la  yema  del  invierno. 

Yentes  y  vinientes. 

Y  otras  yerbas. 

Padre  del  yerno. 

Engaña-yernos. 

Ciega  yernos. 

Á  zaga  ;  ó  en  zaga. 

Barbas  de  zamaro. 

Zancas  de  araña. 

Por  zancas  ó  por  barrancas. 

Zapata  de  un  ancla. 

Zapata  de  la  quilla. 

Zapatería  de  viejo. 

Sedal  de  zapatero. 

¡  Zapatero,  á  tus  zapatos  ! 

Como  tres  en  un  zapato. 

Are  zonza. 

Caldo  de  zorra. 

Mañana  de  zorras,  mal  día  de  caza. 

Cencerro  de  zumbón. 

Zumo  de  cepas  ó  parras. 
Á  zurdas. 
Zutano  y  fulano. 


About  Christmas  time,  or  about  Jan- 
uary. 

Directly  ;  in  an  instant. 

A  severe  beating,  flogging. 

On  the  next  page. 

Unwelcome  return. 

Entirely  yours. 

Your  lordship,  or  your  ladyship. 

Since  that  .  .  .  ;  seeing  that  .  .  . 

When  !  while  !  if  ! 

Helmet  with  a  visor,  formerly  used 
in  tournaments. 

A  plumed  helmet. 

Fleshy  tip  of  the  finger. 

In  the  dead  of  winter. 

Comings  and  goings. 

And  more  yet  (used  after  several 
adjectives). 

Ancient  hermit. 

Baubles  ;  trifles  ;  gewgaws. 

Showy  trifles. 

Behind. 

A  ragged  beard. 

Shifts  ;  evasions  ;  subterfuges. 

By  extraordinary  means  ;  by  hook 
or  by  crook. 

The  shoe  of  an  anchor  (nau.). 

The  false  keel  (nau.). 

A  cobbler's  stall. 

A  shoemaker's  waxed-ends. 

Shoemaker,  stick  to  your  last  1 

To  be  in  great  poverty. 

Careless,  lazy  simpleton. 

A  false  appearance. 

Let  us  be  quick  and  active,  that 
none  may  outdo  us. 

Bell  on  the  head  of  the  leading  horse 
or  mule. 

Juice  of  the  grape  ;  wine. 

The  wrong  way. 

Such  and  such  an  one. 


INDEX   TO    IDIOMS    CONTAINING    VERBS. 


Abarcar 

Abatir 

Ablandar 

Abocar 

Abrasar 

Abrazar 

Abrigar 

Abrir 

Absolver 

Abundar 

Aburrir 

Acabar 

Acaecer 

Aceptar 

Achicar 

Aclarar 

Acodillar 

Acoger 

Acometer 

Acomodar 

Aconsejar 

Acordar 

Acornear 

Acosar 

Acostar 

Acotar 

Acribillar 

Acudir 

Acuñar 

Acusar 

Adelantar 

Adelgazar 

Adentellar 

Adivinar 

Administrar 

Adobar 

Adquirir 

Afanar 

Afeitar 

Aficionar 

Atilar 

Aflojar 

Aforrar 

Agarrar 

Agitar 

Agotar 

Agradar 

Apresar 


PAGE 

Aguantar 

9 

Apasionar 

Aguardar 

9 

Apear 

Aguzar 

9 

Apelar 

Ahilarse 

9 

Apellidar 

Ahogar 

9 

x\percibir 

Ahorcar 

lO 

Apestar 

Ahorrar 

lO 

Aplicar 

Ahuyentar 

lO 

Aporrear 

Ajar 

lO 

Apostar 

Ajustar 

lO 

Aprender 

Alabar 

lO 

Apretar 

Alambicar 

lO 

Aprovechar 

Alamparse 

lO 

Apuntar 

Alargar 

lO 

.Apurar 

Alastrar 

II 

Arañar 

Alborotar 

11 

Arar 

Alcanzar 

II 

Arbolar 

Alegar 

II 

Arder 

Alegrar 

1 1 

Argüir 

Aligerar 

II 

Armar 

Alindar 

II 

Arrancar 

Alinear 

II 

Arrastrar 

Allanar 

lO 

Arregazar 

Alutar 

II 

Arreglar 

Alquilar 

II 

Arremangar 

Alterar 

II 

Arrendar 

Alzar 

II 

Arrepentirse 

Amaestrar 

12 

Arriar 

Amagar 

12 

Arribar 

Amanecer 

12 

Arrimar 

Amar 

12 

Arrizar 

Amargar 

1 3 

Arrojar 

Amoldar 

13 

Arrostrar 

Amontonar 

I  j 

Arrugar 

Amparar 

13 

Asegurar 

Amusgar 

13 

Asentar 

Andar 

13 

Aserrar 

Anhelar 

18 

Asesinar 

Anochecer 

18 

Asir 

Antojarse 

18 

Asistir 

Añadir 

18 

Asomar 

Añudar 

18 

Asosegar 

Apagar 

18 

Aspar 

Apalabrar 

19 

Aspirar 

Apalear 

19 

Atacar 

Aparecer 

19 

Atajar 

Aparentar 

19 

Atar 

Apartar 

19 

Atener 

PAGE 
19 
19 
19 
19 
19 
19 
19 
19 
19 
19 
19 
20 
20 
20 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
21 
22 
22 
22 
22 
22 
22 
22 
22 

23 
23 


24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
25 


PAGE 

Atizar 

25 

Atraer 

25 

Atrasar 

25 

Atravesar 

25 

Atropellar 

25 

Avanzar 

25 

Aventar 

25 

Aventurar 

25 

Averiguar 

25 

Avisar 

25 

Avivar 

25 

Ayudar 

25 

Ayunar 

26 

Azotar 

26 

Bailar 

26 

Bajar 

26 

Balar 

27 

Bañar 

27 

Barajar 

27 

Barrenar 

27 

Barrer 

27 

Bastar 

27 

Batir 

27 

Beber 

28 

Bendecir 

29 

Beneficiar 

29 

Besar 

29 

Birar 

29 

Blasonar 

29 

Bornear 

29 

Borrar 

29 

Botar 

29 

Bramar 

29 

Bregar 

30 

Bullir 

30 

Burlar 

30 

Buscar 

30 

Cabalgar 

31 

Caber 

31 

Cacarear 

37 

Caer 

31 

Calar 

33 

Calentar 

34 

Callar 

34 

Calzar 

35 

324 


SFAXISII  IDIOMS. 


PAGE 

PACE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

Cambiar 

35 

Criar 

50 

Desterrar 

74 

Enterrar 

86 

Laminar 

35 

Criticar 

50 

Destrabar 

74 

Entoldar 

86 

Campar 

36 

Cruzar 

50 

Destripar 

74 

Entrar 

86 

Camper.r 

36 

Cubrir 

50 

Desvanecer 

74 

Entregar 

88 

Cantar 

36 

Cuidar 

50 

Desvergonzar 

74 

Enviar 

88 

Cepillar 

37 

Cumplir 

51 

Detener 

74 

Erizar 

88 

Cardar 

37 

Curar 

51 

Devanar 

74 

Errar 

88 

Carear 

37 

Dilatar 

74 

Escaldar 

89 

Carecer 

37 

Dirigir 

74 

Escapar 

89 

Cargar 

37 

Dar 

51 

Discurrir 

74 

Escarbar 

89 

Casar 

37 

Deber 

65 

Disfrutar 

74 

Escarmentar 

89 

Cascar 

38 

Decir 

65 

Disparar 

74 

Escoger 

89 

Castigar 

38 

Declarar 

68 

Disponer 

74 

Escribir 

89 

Catar 

38 

Declinar 

68 

L)isputar 

74 

Escuchar 

89 

Cavar 

38 

Defender 

68 

Distar 

74 

Escupir 

89 

Cazar 

38 

Degollar 

68 

Distinguir 

74 

Escurrir 

90 

Cebar 

38 

Dejar 

68 

Doblar 

74 

Espantar 

90 

Ceder 

38 

Dentar 

7  = 

Doler 

75 

Esperar 

90 

Cegar 

38 

Derramar 

71 

Domar 

75 

Espolear 

90 

Celcl  rar 

38 

Derribar 

71 

Dormir 

75 

Esquilar 

90 

Cenar 

38 

Desaparecer 

71 

Dudar 

76 

Esquilmar 

90 

Ceñir 

38 

Desatar 

71 

Estacar 

90 

Cercar 

38 

Desavenir 

71 

Echar 

76 

Estar 

90 

Cerner 

38 

Descabezar 

71 

Edificar 

83 

Estimar 

102 

Cerrar 

38 

Descalabrar 

71 

Ejecutar 

83 

Estirar 

102 

Chantar 

39 

Descalzar 

71 

Embarcar 

83 

Estorbar 

103 

Chupar 

39 

Descansar 

71 

Embargar 

83 

Estornudar 

103 

Clamar 

39 

Descargar 

72 

Embestir 

83 

Estrechar 

103 

Clarear 

39 

Descomponer 

72 

Emborrachar 

83 

Estrellar 

103 

Clavar 

39 

Descornar 

72 

Emparejar 

83 

Estrujar 

103 

Cobijar 

39 

Descoyuntar 

72 

Empeñar 

83 

Evacuar 

103 

Cobrar 

39 

Descreer 

72 

Empezar 

83 

Evitar 

103 

Cocer 

40 

Descubrir 

72 

Emplear 

83 

Examinar 

103 

Coger 

40 

Descuidar 

72 

Empobrecer 

83 

Exceder 

103 

Cojear 

42 

Desdeñar 

72 

Encajar 

83 

Excoger 

103 

Colgar 

41 

Desdoblar 

72 

Encapillar 

84 

Extender 

103 

Comenzar 

41 

Desempatar 

72 

Encapotar 

84 

Extrañar 

103 

Comer 

41 

Desempedrar 

72 

Encoger 

84 

Cometer 

44 

Desencajar 

72 

Encomendar 

84 

Facer 

103 

Componer 

44 

Desencapotar 

73 

Encontrar 

84 

P'alsear 

103 

Comprar 

44 

Desenclavijar 

73 

Encordar 

84 

Faltar 

103 

Concurrir 

45 

Desenterrar 

73 

Encubrir 

84 

Ferir 

104 

Condenar 

45 

Desflorar 

73 

Enderezar 

84 

Fiar 

104 

Confesar 

45 

Desgajar 

73 

Endilgar 

84 

Fijar 

104 

Conocer 

45 

Deshacer 

73 

Enilosar 

84 

Fincar 

104 

Consagrar 

45 

Deslomar 

73 

Enfadar 

84 

Fingir 

104 

Consentir 

45 

Desnatar 

73 

Enfermar 

84 

Firmar 

104 

Conservar 

46 

Desnudar 

73 

Enganchar 

84 

Florecer 

104 

Consignar 

46 

Desollar 

73 

Engañar 

84 

Formar 

104 

Constituir 

46 

Despabilar 

73 

Engordar 

84 

Forzar 

104 

Contar 

46 

Despachurrar 

73 

Enguantar 

85 

Franquear 

104 

Convertir 

46 

Deparar 

73 

Enmendar 

85 

Freir 

104 

Coronar 

46 

Despedazar 

73 

Ensanchar 

85 

Fulminar 

104 

Correr 

46 

Despejar 

73 

Ensañar 

85 

Fundar 

104 

Cortar 

48 

Despintar 

73 

Enseñar 

85 

Coser 

49 

Desplegar 

73 

Ensillar 

85 

Ganar 

104 

Costar 

49 

Desprender 

73 

Ensortijar 

85 

Gastar 

105 

Crecer 

49 

Despuntar 

73 

Ensuciar 

85 

Gloriarse 

IOS 

Creer 

50 

Destajar 

74 

Entender 

85 

Gobernar 

105 

SJ'.LV/S//  IDIOMS. 


325 


PACK 

r 

\(;i-; 

p 

\GE 

PAGE 

Gozar 

105 

Madurar 

50 

Papar                     1 

64 

Recetar 

191 

Grabar 

105 

Malograr 

50 

Parar 

64 

Refrescar 

191 

Gruñir 

106 

Mamar 

50 

Parecer                  ] 

65 

Refundir 

191 

Guardar 

106 

Manchar 

50 

Parlar 

65 

Regañar 

191 

Guiar 

106 

Mandar 

50 

Parodiar                1 

65 

Registrar 

191 

Gustar 

106 

Manifestar 

50 

Partir 

65 

Reglar 

191 

Maniobrar 

50 

Pasar 

66 

Regular 

191 

Haber 

107 

Mantener 

50 

Pasear 

68 

Reir 

191 

Hablar 

"3 

Marcar 

51 

Pecar 

68 

Relucir 

192 

Hacer 

"5 

Marchar 

51 

Pedir 

68 

Revelar 

191 

Halagar 

131 

Marear 

51 

Pegar 

69 

Remachar 

192 

Hallar 

131 

Mascar 

51 

Peinar 

69 

Rematar 

192 

Helar 

132 

Matar 

51 

Pelar 

69 

Remediar 

192 

Henchir 

132 

Mediar 

52 

Pelear                   1 

70 

Remendar 

192 

Heredar 

132 

Medir 

52 

Pensar 

70 

Remojar 

192 

Herir 

132 

Medrar 

52 

Penetrar 

70 

Rendir 

192 

Hilar 

132 

Mejorar 

52 

Percibir 

70 

Renegar 

192 

Hincar 

132 

Mellar 

52 

Perder 

70 

Renovar 

192 

Hinchar 

132 

Menear 

52 

Perdonar 

72 

Renunciar 

192 

Holgar 

132 

Menguar 

(52 

Perecer 

72 

Reñir 

192 

Honrar 

132 

Mentar 

t52 

Perfumar 

72 

Reparar 

192 

Huir 

132 

Mentir 

[52 

Pesar 

73 

Reposar 

192 

Hurtar 

133 

Merecer 

[53 

Pestañear 

73 

Resollar 

192 

Meter 

t53 

Picar 

73 

Respirar 

193 

Igualar 

133 

Mezclar 

[57 

Pillar 

73 

Retener 

193 

Importar 

133 

Mirar 

57 

Pintar 

[73 

Reteñir 

193 

Incorporar 

133 

Mojar 

58 

Pisar 

73 

Retirar 

193 

Incurrir 

^Zl 

Mojer 

58 

Placer 

174 

Retozar 

193 

Ir 

133 

Mondar 

58 

Plantar 

'74 

Retumbar 

193 

Montar 

58 

Poder 

[74 

Reventar 

193 

Jorobar 

139 

Morar 

59 

Poner 

'75 

Reverdecer 

193 

Jugar 

139 

Morder 

59 

Popar 

[81 

Revestir 

193 

Juntar 

140 

Morir   • 

59 

Poseer 

Si 

Revolver 

193 

Jurar 

140 

Mosquear 

óo 

Predicar 

81 

Rezar 

193 

Juzgar 

140 

Mostrar 

60 

Preguntar 

81 

Rodar 

193 

Mover 

60 

Prender 

82 

Rodear 

193 

Labrar 

140 

Mudar 

[60 

Prestar 

82 

Roer 

194 

Ladrar 

140 

Prevenir 

[82 

Rogar 

194 

Lanzar 

141 

Nacer 

[61 

Privar 

1S2 

Romper 

194 

Largar 

140 

Nadar 

[61 

Probar 

182 

Lavar 

141 

Navegar 

162 

Procurar 

[82 

Leer 

141 

Necesitar 

62 

Producir 

■83 

Saber 

194 

Levantar 

141 

Negar 

[62 

Prolongar 

[83 

Sacar 

196 

Librar 

142 

Nombrar 

[62 

Prometer 

'S3 

Sacudir 

200 

Limpiar 

143 

Pronunciar 

83 

Salir 

200 

Lisonjear 

143 

Obedecer 

62 

Propasar 

S3 

Saltar 

203 

Llagar 

143 

Obrar 

[62 

Proponer 

83 

Saludar 

204 

Llamar 

143 

Observar 

[62 

Protestar 

83 

Salvar 

204 

Llegar 

144 

Ofender 

t62 

Publicar 

83 

Sanar 

204 

Llenar 

145 

Ofrecer 

[62 

Purificar 

83 

Sangrar 

204 

Llevar 

145 

Oir 

[62 

Seguir 

204 

Llorar 

149 

Oler 

t63 

Sellar 

204 

Llover 

149 

Olvidar 

t63 

Quebrantar 

83 

Sembrar 

204 

Luchar 

149 

Orientar 

63 

Quebrar 

83 

Sentar 

205 

Lucir 

149 

Originar 

63 

Quedar 

84 

Sentir 

205 

Lustrar 

149 

Otorgar 

63 

Quejarse                i 

86 

Señalar 

205 

Quemar                  ] 

86 

Ser 

205 

Machacar 

149 

Pagar 

63 

(Querer                    ] 

87 

Servir 

223 

Madrugar 

149 

Palpar 

64 

Quitar                    1 

90 

Sitiar 

224 

326 


SPAAVSH  IDIOMS. 


Sobrar 

Sobreponer 

Sobresaltar 

Socavar 

Soltar 

Sonar 

Sondar. 

Sonreír 

Soplar 

Sorber 

Sosegar 

Subir 

Suceder 

Sudar 

Sufrir 

Siigetar 

Supeditar 

Suplicar 

Suponer 

Surcar 

Surtir 

Suspender 


PAGE 

224 
224 
224 
224 
224 
224 
225 
225 
225 
225 
225 
225 
226 
226 
226 
226 
226 
226 
226 
226 
226 
226 


PAGE 

PAGE 

PACÍ 

Suspirar 

226 

Tomar 

242 

Vender 

249 

Sustentar 

226 

Topar 

245 

Venir 

250 

Torcer 

245 

Ventar 

252 

Tachar 

226 

Tornar 

246 

Ventear 

252 

Tajar 

227 

Trabajar 

246 

Ver 

252 

Tantear 

227 

Traljar 

246 

Vestir 

254 

Tañer 

227 

Traer 

246 

Vibrar 

254 

Tapar 

227 

Tragar 

247 

Vincular 

254 

Tardar 

227 

Trasquilar 

247 

Virar 

54 

Tasar 

227 

Trastejar 

247 

Visitar 

254 

Tascar 

227 

Tratar 

247 

Vivir 

254 

Temblar 

227 

Trincar 

247 

Vocear 

25s 

Temer 

227 

Trocar 

248 

Volar 

255 

Templar 

227 

Tronar 

248 

Vomitai 

255 

Tender 

227 

Volver 

255 

Tener 
Tentar 
Teñir 

227 
240 

Untar 
Usar 

248 
248 

Yacer 

257 

Terciar 

240 

Zafar 

257 

Tesar 

240 

Vaciar 

248 

Zurzir 

257 

Tirar 

240 

Valer 

248 

Zurrar 

257 

Tocar 

241 

Velar 

249 

SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


327 


IDIOMS  WITHOUT   VERBS. 


PAGE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

Abajo 

25^^ 

Año 

20  I 

Balsa 

263 

Calenda 

267 

Abatimiento 

258 

Apacible 

261 

Banco 

263 

Cama 

267 

Ablanda 

258 

Aparajuelos 

261 

Banda 

263 

Camino 

267 

Abreviatura 

258 

Apartador 

261 

Barata 

263 

Candil 

267 

Acá 

25S 

Apartamiento 

261 

Barba 

263 

Cansada 

267 

Académico 

258 

Aposentador 

2ÓI 

Barbecho 

264 

Capa 

267 

Aceite 

25S 

Aprendiz 

261 

Barlovento 

264 

Cara 

267 

Acepción 

258 

Apuntador 

261 

Barra 

264 

Caracoles 

267 

Acuerdo 

258 

Arañador 

261 

Base 

264 

Carga 

267 

Adarme 

258 

Árbol 

261 

Bastidor 

264 

Cargazón 

268 

Adquiridor 

258 

Arca 

261 

Beca 

264 

Carrera 

268 

Aferramiento 

258 

Arco 

261 

Beneficio 

264 

Carta 

268 

Agua 

258 

Armadura 

261 

Bestia 

264 

Casa 

268 

Aguador 

258 

Arranque 

262 

Bien 

264 

Casco 

268 

Agudo 

258 

Arreadador 

262 

Bigamia 

264 

Caso 

268 

Ahí 

258 

Arrebol 

262 

Billa 

264 

Cedacito 

268 

Ahora 

258 

Arrendador 

262 

Birlonga 

264 

Ceja 

268 

Aire 

258 

Arroz 

262 

Blanco 

264 

Celada 

268 

Ajó 

258 

Arte 

262 

Blando 

264 

Cencerro 

268 

Ajuste 

259 

Artería 

262 

Bóbilis 

264 

Cepo 

268 

Alambique 

259 

Asá 

262 

Boca 

264 

Cerca 

268 

Alba 

259 

Asadura 

262 

Bocado 

265 

Cerro 

268 

Albalá 

259 

Asaz 

262 

Boda 

265 

Chapin 

268 

Albarda 

259 

Así 

262 

Bodegón 

265 

Charretera 

268 

Albor 

259 

Asiento 

262 

Boga 

265 

Chico 

268 

Alcalde 

259 

Asistencia 

262 

Bolsa 

265 

Chispa 

268 

Alegría 

259 

Asma 

262 

Bomba 

266 

Chitacallando 

268 

Alférez 

259 

Asno 

262 

Bonete 

266 

Chocolate 

268 

Alfiler 

259 

Aspa 

262 

Bordón 

266 

Cielo 

268 

Algodón 

259 

Aspecto 

262 

Bote 

266 

Cierto 

268 

Alguacil 

259 

Asta 

262 

Botón 

266 

Cincha 

268 

Alhaja 

259 

Asunto 

262 

Brava 

266 

Claro 

269 

Allá 

259 

Atadura 

263 

Brazo 

266 

Clavo 

269 

Allende 

259 

Atún 

263 

Buena 

266 

Clérigo 

269 

Alma 

259 

Aún 

263 

Buey 

266 

Coche 

269 

Almud 

259 

Ausente 

263 

Bulto 

266 

Codo 

269 

Altar 

259 

Avaro 

263 

Burla 

266 

Col 

269 

Alto 

259 

Ave 

263 

Burra 

266 

Cola 

269 

Altura 

260 

Avenidos 

263 

Color 

269 

Amen 

260 

Ayuda 

263 

Cabal 

266 

Comedia 

269 

Amigo 

260 

Ayuntamiento 

263 

Caballo 

266 

Conciencia 

269 

Amor 

260 

Azadonada 

263 

Cabeza 

266 

Conclusión 

269 

Ancha 

260 

Azote 

263 

Cabo 

266 

Contado 

269 

Ancho 

260 

Cabra 

267 

Contento 

269 

Ancora 

260 

Babor 

263 

Cachaza 

267 

Coral 

269 

Andar 

260 

Báculo 

263 

Café 

267 

Corazón 

269 

Anillo 

260 

Baile 

263 

Caja 

267 

Corona 

269 

Ánimo 

260 

Bajeza 

263 

Cálamo 

267 

Correo 

269 

Antes 

260 

Bala 

263 

Calculo 

267 

Corrida 

269 

Antuvión 

261 

Balanza 

263 

Caldera 

267 

Corriente 

269 

328 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


PAGE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

Corta 

269 

Despuntar 

273 

Falso 

277 

Haz 

282 

Coitapico 

269 

Destajo 

273 

Falta 

277 

Hecha 

282 

Corte 

269 

Deuda 

273 

Favor 

277 

Hecho 

282 

Cortes 

269 

Dia 

272 

Fé 

277 

Hermano 

282 

Cosa 

269 

Diablo 

272 

Feria 

277 

Herrero 

282 

Costa 

270 

Diamante 

272 

Fianza 

277 

Hez 

282 

Costal 

270 

Dicho 

272 

Fiel 

277 

Hidalgo 

282 

Credo 

270 

Diente 

272 

Fiesta 

277 

Hiele 

282 

Criado 

270 

Diestro 

273 

Figura 

277 

Hígado 

282 

Crisol 

270 

Diferencia 

273 

Fin 

277 

Hijo 

282 

Cristo 

270 

Diligencia 

273 

Flor 

277 

Hilo 

283 

Crudo 

270 

Dia 

273 

Foja 

278 

Hombre 

283 

Cruz 

270 

Dinero 

273 

Fondo 

278 

Hombro 

284 

Cual 

270 

Dios 

274 

Forma 

278 

Honra 

284 

Cuando 

270 

Discreción 

274 

Fortuna 

278 

Hora 

284 

Cuanto 

270 

Disgusto 

274 

Frente 

278 

M  orea 

285 

Cuarto 

270 

Disparate 

274 

Fresco 

278 

Horma 

285 

Cuatro 

270 

Distinción 

274 

Fruta 

278 

Hospital 

285 

Cuchillada 

270 

Dobla 

274 

Fruto 

278 

Hov 

285 

Cuchillo 

270 

Dobladilla 

274 

Fuego 

278 

Hoz 

285 

Cuenta 

271 

Doblada 

274 

Fuera 

278 

Hueco 

285 

Cuento 

271 

Docena 

274 

Fuero 

279 

Huevo 

285 

Cuerda 

271 

Domingo 

275 

Fuerza 

279 

Humildad 

285 

Cuepno 

271 

Don 

275 

Fulano 

279 

Humo 

285 

Cuero 

271 

Doncel 

275 

Hurto 

285 

Cuerpo 

271 

Donde 

275 

Gacha 

279 

Cuervo 

271 

Dos 

275 

Gallina 

279 

Ida 

285 

Cuesta 

271 

Duelo 

275 

Gallo 

279 

Igual 

285 

Cuidado 

271 

Duende 

275 

Gana 

279 

Impresión 

286 

Culpa 

271 

Durillo 

275 

Ganado 

279 

índice 

286 

Culto 

271 

Duro 

27s 

Garbanzo 

279 

Instancia 

286 

Cuna 

271 

Garra 

279 

Instante 

286 

Cura 

271 

Edad 

275 

Garrote 

279 

ínteres 

286 

Efecto 

275 

Gata 

279 

Debajo 

271 

Empeñadura 

275 

Gaya 

279 

Jaque 

286 

Decreto 

271 

Encaje 

275 

Gaznate 

280 

Jesús 

286 

Decurión 

271 

Enemigo 

275 

Gente 

280 

Jornada 

286 

Degolladero 

271 

Entrada 

275 

Gentil 

280 

Jubileo 

286 

Dejado 

271 

Entraña 

276 

Giro 

280 

Juego 

286 

Delicado 

271 

Ermita 

276 

Gobierno 

280 

Juez 

286 

Delia 

271 

Escaso 

276 

Golpe 

280 

Juicio 

286 

Demanda 

271 

Escudero 

276 

Gorra 

280 

Junto 

286 

Dentellada 

272 

Espada 

276 

Gota 

280 

Justicia 

286 

Derecha 

272 

Espalda 

276 

Gozo 

281 

Justos 

286 

Derecho 

272 

Espárrago 

276 

Gracia 

281 

Desagrado 

272 

Especie 

276 

Grada 

281 

Labor 

286 

Descarga 

272. 

Espectáculo 

276 

Grado 

281 

Lado 

286 

Descargo 

272 

Espejo 

276 

Grano 

281 

Lago 

286 

Descorchador 

272 

Estaca 

276 

Grito 

281 

Lágrima 

287 

Descosido 

272 

Estado 

276 

Grueso 

281 

Lana 

287 

Descubierto 

272 

Estampa 

276 

Guante 

281 

Lance 

287 

Descubrimiento 

272 

Estas 

276 

Guerra 

281 

Lande 

287 

Descuido 

272 

Estatura 

276 

Guias 

281 

Lanza 

287 

Desde 

272 

Estilo 

276 

Guisa 

281 

Larga 

287 

Deseo 

272 

Estomago 

276 

Largo 

287 

Deshecha 

272 

Estrecho 

276 

Habas 

281 

Leche 

287 

Deshilada 

272 

Estrella 

277 

Hacía 

281 

Legua 

287 

Despecho 

273 

Estudio 

277 

Hacienda 

281 

Lengua 

287 

Después 

273 

Excepción 

277 

nacimiento 

281 

Letra 

287 

SPAy/SI/  IDIOMS. 


329 


Ley 

287 

Libertad 

287 

Libro 

288 

Ligero 

2S8 

Limpio 

288 

Lisa 

288 

Lista 

288 

Lobo 

288 

Loca 

288 

Luenga 

288 

Lugar 

288 

Lumbre 

2S8 

Luz 

288 

Llana 

288 

Llano 

288 

Llave 

288 

Lleno 

288 

Madeja 

288 

Madera 

289 

Madre 

289 

Maestre 

289 

Mal 

289 

Manera 

289 

Manga 

289 

Maniobra 

289 

Mano 

289 

Mantel 

290 

Manteniente 

290 

Manto 

290 

Mañana 

290 

Mar 

290 

Maravilla 

290 

Marca 

290 

Marcha 

290 

Marea 

290 

Mari 

290 

Marinero 

290 

Martillo 

291 

Más 

291 

Mascarón 

291 

Medía 

291 

Medico 

291 

Medida 

291 

Medio 

291 

Mejor 

291 

Memoria 

291 

Menudo 

291 

Merced 

291 

Mermelada 

291 

Mesa 

291 

Mesilla 

292 

Miedo 

292 

Migajada 

292 

Milagro 

292 

Mina 

292 

Mió 

292 

Mitad 

292 

Molde 

292 

PAGE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

Moliente 

292 

l'apilón 

297 

Pito 

301 

Molino 

292 

Par 

297 

Placer 

301 

Momento 

292 

Para 

297 

Plana 

301 

Mondo 

292 

Parecer 

297 

J'lanta 

301 

Moneda 

292 

Pared 

297 

Plata 

301 

Monte 

292 

Parte 

297 

Platica 

301 

Montón 

292 

Pasada 

297 

Plaza 

301 

Morena 

293 

Pasar 

297 

l'leito 

301 

Mortecino 

293 

Pascua 

298 

Plenitud 

301 

Mosca 

293 

Paseante 

297 

Plomo 

301 

Mozo 

293 

Paso 

298 

Pluma 

301 

Muela 

293 

Pasta 

298 

Plumada 

301 

Muerte 

293 

Pasto 

298 

Pobreza 

301 

Mujer 

293 

Pastor 

298 

Poco 

301 

Munición 

293 

Pata 

298 

Pollo 

301 

Música 

293 

Pato 

298 

Polvillo 

301 

Patrón 

298 

Polvo 

301 

Nada 

293 

Pavana 

298 

Por 

302 

Nariz 

293 

Paz 

298 

Porción 

302 

Natural 

294 

Pecador 

298 

l'orfía 

302 

Navio 

294 

Pecho 

298 

Posada 

302 

Negro 

294 

Pecunia 

298 

Posible 

302 

Niño 

294 

Petlazo 

298 

Posta 

302 

Noche 

294 

Pedrada 

298 

Postre 

302 

Nombre 

294 

Peine 

298 

Potencia 

302 

Nota 

294 

Pelada 

298 

Predio 

302 

Nuncio 

294 

Pellizco 

298 

Prendas 

302 

Pelo 

298 

Presente 

302 

Obenque 
Obenquito 
Obra 
Ocasión 

294 
294 
294 
294 

Pena 
Pendiente 
Pendón 
Pensamiento 

299 

299 
299 
299 

Preso 
Prestado 
Prestigio 
Presto 

302 
302 
302 
302 

Oculto 

Oficial 

Oficio 

Oida 

Ojo 

Onza 

Oración 

Oreja 

Orilla 

294 

294 
294 
294 

Peonza 

Pera 

Percance 

Pérdida 

Perdido 

299 
299 
299 
299 
299 

Primero 

Primo 

Pro 

Proa 

Promotor 

302 
302 
303 
303 
303 

294 

295 
295 
295 
295 

295 
295 
295 
295 

Perdiz 

Perdón 

Pereza 

299 
299 
299 

Pronto 
Propio 
Proposito 

303 
303 
303 

Perilla 

299 

Provecho 

303 

Oro 
Orza 
Otro 
Oveja 

Perla 

Perro 

Pese 

Peso 

Pez 

299 
299 
299 

299 
299 

Providencia 

Prueba 

Puerta 

Puerto 

Pues 

303 
303 
303 
303 
303 

Pico 

299 

Puesta 

303 

Padre 

295 

Pié 

300 

Pujo 

304 

Paga 

295 

Piedra 

300 

Pulgar 

304 

Paja 

296 

Pienso 

300 

Pulso 

304 

Pájaro 

296 

Pierna 

300 

Puntada 

304 

Pala 

296 

Pieza 

300 

Puntilla 

304 

Palabra 

296 

Piloto 

300 

Punto 

304 

Paleta 

296 

Pino 

300 

Puntualidad 

304 

Palmo 

296 

Pintado 

301 

Puñado 

304 

Palo 

297 

Piojo 

301 

Puro 

304 

Pan 

297 

Pique 

301 

Paño 

297 

Pisto 

301 

Quema 

304 

Papel 

297 

Pistola 

301 

Quicio 

304 

330 


SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


PAGE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

Quiebra 

304 

Rueda 

307 

Son 

310 

Tope 

314 

Quisto 

304 

Ruido 

307 

Sonda 

310 

Toque 

314 

Sopetón 

310 

Torno 

314 

Saco 

307 

Sordina 

310 

Torta 

315 

Rabia 

304 

Sacristan 

307 

Sordo 

310 

Tortuga 

315 

Rabioso 

304 

Sacudida 

307 

Sorpresa 

310 

Trago 

315 

Ración 

304 

Sal 

307 

Sotavento 

310 

Traidor 

315 

Raiz 

304 

Sala 

307 

Suela 

310 

Trampa 

315 

Raja 

304 

Salto 

307 

Suelda 

310 

Trance 

315 

Rama 

304 

Salva 

307 

Suelo 

310 

Tranco 

315 

Ramillete 

304 

Salvo 

307 

Suelto 

3" 

Transporte 

315 

Rapa 

305 

Sangre 

307 

Sueño 

3" 

Trapo 

315 

Rasgado 

305 

Sanguijela 

308 

Suerte 

3" 

Tras 

315 

Raso 

305 

Sanidad 

308 

Suma 

3" 

Trasmano 

315 

Rato 

305 

Santiamén 

308 

Surtido 

311 

Traspaso 

315 

Raya 

305 

Santificación 

308 

Sus 

3" 

Trasquilón 

315 

Razón 

305 

Santo 

308 

Sustancia 

311 

Traste 

315 

Real 

305 

Sardina 

308 

Sutileza 

3" 

Trasto 

315 

Rebeldía 

305 

Satisfacción 

308 

Través 

315 

Rebozo 

305 

Saya 

308 

Tabla 

3" 

Trazado 

315 

Recado 

305 

Sayo 

308 

Tablilla 

3-1 

Trinca 

315 

Red 

305 

Sazón 

308 

Tal 

3" 

Trocada 

315 

Refresco 

305 

Seco 

308 

Talla 

3" 

Trompa 

31Ó 

Regaña 

305 

Secretario 

308 

Tambor 

3" 

Trompeta 

316 

Regla 

305 

Secreto 

308 

Tanto 

3" 

Tropa 

316 

Regular 

306 

Seda 

308 

Tapadilla 

312 

Tropel 

316 

Relación 

306 

Según 

308 

Tapadita 

312 

Tropezón 

316 

Relance 

306 

Segur 

308 

Tarde 

312 

Troya 

316 

Ram  ate 

306 

Seguro 

308 

Tea 

312 

Trozo 

316 

Remedio 

306 

Semana 

309 

Teja 

312 

Trueco 

316 

Remiendo 

306 

Semeja 

309 

Tejado 

312 

Tú 

316 

Remo 

306 

Semillero 

309 

Tela 

312 

Tuerto 

316 

Repelón 

306 

Sendo 

309 

Tema 

312 

Tuétano 

316 

Repeso 

306 

Sentido 

309 

Temple 

312 

Tumbo 

-    316 

Repuesto 

306 

Sentir 

309 

Teneduiía 

312 

Turbio 

316 

Resbaladiza 

306 

Seña 

309 

Teniente 

312 

Turno 

316 

Resbalón 

306 

Señal 

309 

Tente 

312 

Tuyo 

316 

Reservado 

306 

Señor 

309 

Tercero 

312 

Resolución 

306 

Ser 

309 

Tercio 

312 

Ultimo 

316 
316 

317 
317 
317 

Respeto 

306 

Sereno 

309 

Término 

312 

Uno 

Responsibilidac 

1    306 

Si 

309 

Terno 

313 

Uña 

Respuesta 

306 

Siglo 

309 

Terrcn 

313 

Usado 

Resto 

306 

Silla 

309 

Tia 

313 

Uso 

Revancha 

306 

Sin 

309 

Tiempo 

313 

Revés 

306 

Sino 

309 

Tienta 

313 

Revuelta 

306 

Sitio 

309 

Tierra 

313 

Vaca 

317 

Rienda 

306 

So 

309 

Tieso 

313 

Vacio 

317 

Rigor 

306 

Sobra 

310 

Tijera 

m 

Vado 

317 

Rio 

306 

Sobre 

310 

Tinta 

313 

Vago 

317 

Risa 

306 

Socapa 

310 

Tirada 

313 

Vaina 

317 

Rodapelo 

305 

Socorro 

310 

Tiro 

314 

Vale 

317 

Romana 

307 

Sol 

310 

Tirón 

314 

Valer 

317 

Romería 

307 

Sola 

310 

Titulo 

314 

Valentía 

317 

Rompe 

307 

Solape 

310 

Todo 

314 

Valia 

317 

Rosario 

307 

Soldadesca 

310 

Toldo 

314 

Valido 

317 

Rosca 

307 

Solemne 

310 

Tolondrón 

314 

Valiza 

317 

Roso 

307 

Solemnidad 

310 

Toma 

314 

Valle 

317 

Rostro 

307 

Sombra 

310 

Tomo 

314 

Valor 

317 

Rota 

307 

Sombrero 

310 

Tonto 

314 

Vana 

318 

SPANISH  IDIOMS. 


331 


PAGE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

Vara 

3í8 

Viaje 

318 

Vísperas 

319 

Yente 

321 

Vareta 

318 

Vicario 

318 

Vista 

319 

Yerba 

321 

Varón 

318 

Vicio 

319 

Viveza 

320 

Yerno 

321 

Vegada 

318 

Vid 

319 

Vivo 

320 

Veinte 

318 

Vida 

319 

Volanda 

320 

Zaga 

321 

Vela 

31S 

Vidrio 

319 

Volante 

320 

Zamaro 

321 

Vencimiento 

318 

Viejo 

319 

Voleo 

320 

Zanca 

321 

Vendimiar 

318 

Viento 

319 

Voluntad 

320 

Zapata 

321 

Venta 

318 

Villano 

319 

Voto 

320 

Zapataria 

321 

Ventura 

318 

Vilo 

319 

Voz 

320 

Zapatero 

321 

Vera 

318 

Vino 

319 

Vuelo 

320 

Zapato 

321 

Verbo 

318 

Viña 

319 

Vuelta 

320 

Zonza 

321 

Verdad 

318 

Virote 

319 

Vuestro 

321 

Zorra 

321 

\'ericueto 

318 

Virtud 

319 

Zumbón 

321 

Vestido 

318 

Vision 

319 

Ya 

321 

Zumo 

321 

\^ez 

318 

Visitador 

319 

Yelmo 

321 

Zurdas 

321 

Via 

318 

Viso 

319 

Yema 

321 

Zutano 

321 

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GINN   &   COMPANY,   Publishers, 

:on.  New  York.  Chicago.  Atlanta.  Dallas. 


AN    INTRODUCTION    TO    THE 

KrKNCH     LANaUAOK 


A  Fractical  Grammar  with  Exercises. 


By  ALPHONSE   N.  van   DAELL, 

Professor  of  Modern  Latigitages  in  tJie  I\Iassachusetts  Institute  of  Technology . 


i2mo.     Cloth.     22g  pages.     For  introduction,  $i.oo. 


This  is  a  complete  first  year  book,  compact  and  concise, 
and  yet  full  enough  to  be  accurate  and  thorough.  It  is  in 
two  parts  :  Part  I.  consists  of  exercises  and  refers  constantly 
to  Part  II.,  which  is  a  brief  French  grammar.  For  the  ele- 
mentary courses  in  colleges,  seminaries,  academies,  and  high 
schools,  it  is  believed  to  possess  peculiar  excellencies. 

It  is  truly  practical,  that  is,  it  is  based  upon  connected 
language,  and  it  provides  reference  to  a  connected  statement 
of  grammatical  rules.  The  particular  attention  of  instructors 
is  invited  to  this  feature,  not  to  be  found  in  other  books. 

The  method  of  the  book  permits  the  introduction  of 
conversational  exercises  at  any  stage  of  the  course,  and 
whenever  the  teacher  wishes.  The  teacher  is  guided  in 
this  conversational  work,  and  so  with  the  aid  of  this  book 
a  comparatively  inexperienced  instructor  can  employ  oral 
teaching  with  safety  and  satisfaction. 

The  exercises  are  not  of  the  OUendorfifian  pattern,  but  are 
interesting  in  themselves.  Besides  this,  they  are  French  in 
substance  as  well  as  in  form.  They  refer  to  France,  to  French 
ideas,  French  history,  French  customs,  etc.  In  a  word,  the 
pupil  breathes  the  very  atmosphere  of  the  country  whose 
language  he  is  studying. 

This  introduction  can  be  used  with  any  reader  or  set  of 
reading  books. 

The  long  experience  of  the  author  has  been  ably  supple- 
mented by  the  criticisms  of  eminent  scholars  and  successful 
teachers. 


GINN  &  COMPANY,   Publishers, 

Boston.  New  York.  Chicago.  Atlanta.  Dallas. 


This  book  is  due  at  the  WALTER  R.  DAVIS  LIBRARY  on 
the  last  date  stamped  under  "Date  Due."  If  not  on  hold,  it  may 
be  renewed  by  bringing  it  to  the  library. 

^^                       RETURNED 

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C—.    SÍÍ 

1   J    £.üy^t 

FEE 

1  4  2005 

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•EB  1  "^  2C0 

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Form  No  513 
Rev.  1/84 

